The English Dance of Death from the designs of Thomas Rowlandson, with metrical illustrations, by the author of "Doctor Syntax" [i.e. William Combe] |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | The English Dance of Death |  |
“I say, what I am told to say,
And 'tis my duty to obey.
Nay, I believe it true, that I,
When I am lying, do not lie:
For, if I utter Falsehood's words,
The Lie's my Lady's or my Lord's;
And, though it may not be so civil,
I think 'tis they should fear the Devil.
I well remember, t'other day,
I heard a rev'rend Prelate say,
As from my Lord he went away,
I am, indeed, with truth most fervent,
Your Lordship's most devoted Servant;
And that's a swinging one, I hold it,
Though my Lord Archbishop told it.
But that is call'd a mere expression,
No sin at all, nor wants confession;
And let me ask then, if I'm worse
Than him—for using words of course?
Besides, why should I feel alarm
For saying what does no one harm?
I've heard our Chaplain say, Denying
Is not bona fide Lying:
At least, that it will be forgiven
By ev'ry Law that's made in Heaven .”
And 'tis my duty to obey.
Nay, I believe it true, that I,
When I am lying, do not lie:
For, if I utter Falsehood's words,
The Lie's my Lady's or my Lord's;
And, though it may not be so civil,
I think 'tis they should fear the Devil.
I well remember, t'other day,
I heard a rev'rend Prelate say,
As from my Lord he went away,
I am, indeed, with truth most fervent,
Your Lordship's most devoted Servant;
And that's a swinging one, I hold it,
Though my Lord Archbishop told it.
But that is call'd a mere expression,
No sin at all, nor wants confession;
And let me ask then, if I'm worse
Than him—for using words of course?
234
For saying what does no one harm?
I've heard our Chaplain say, Denying
Is not bona fide Lying:
At least, that it will be forgiven
By ev'ry Law that's made in Heaven .”
| The English Dance of Death | |