Poems, Songs and Love-Verses upon several Subjects. By Matthew Coppinger |
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De Sacerdote qui Caniculum in Cœmeterio Sepelivit.
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 | Poems, Songs and Love-Verses |  |
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De Sacerdote qui Caniculum in Cœmeterio Sepelivit.
A wealthy Thuscan Priest, of no mean note,One that cou'd say his Decalogue by rote,
And Pater-noster too, and, if such need,
Cou'd make a Repetion of his Creed,
Had a small Dog he did so much regard,
That dead, he Buried him in the Church-yard;
The Bishop glad that he had got a Claw
Whereby to get the Priest into his Paw,
Summons him to a strict Examination
Of his so irreligious Violation
Of Holy ground. The Priest, who knew his mind,
How much he was to Avarice inclin'd,
Appears, and with him brings full Fifty Pound,
Which he knew well wou'd make the matter sound.
The Bishop urg'd the Crime, and so far went,
That he, poor Man, must be to Prison sent;
To whom the Priest, My Father, did you know
How much you to that loving Creature owe,
And how in Wisdom he did antecede
All that I ever knew was of the breed,
I am sure you wou'd not blame my action then,
Since he deserv'd a Burial among Men.
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He was as wise as Men, but more in Death.
The Bishop ask't him how. The Priest reply'd,
He wisely made his Will before he dy'd;
And knowing that it was a Pious deed,
He left you Fifty Pounds to help your need;
With that produc'd the money. Sure reply'd
The Bishop, never Dog more fairely dy'd;
And God forbid I shou'd at all detract
From this your Zeal in such a Pious Act.
If you have more, let there be set apart,
A place to bury Dogs of such Desert.
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