 | The Poems of Alice Meynell |  |
83
THE NEWER VAINGLORY
Two men went up to pray; and one gave thanks,
Not with himself—aloud,
With proclamation, calling on the ranks
Of an attentive crowd.
Not with himself—aloud,
With proclamation, calling on the ranks
Of an attentive crowd.
“Thank God, I clap not my own humble breast,
But other ruffians' backs,
Imputing crime—such is my tolerant haste—
To any man that lacks.
But other ruffians' backs,
Imputing crime—such is my tolerant haste—
To any man that lacks.
“For I am tolerant, generous, keep no rules,
And the age honours me.
Thank God, I am not as these rigid fools,
Even as this Pharisee.”
And the age honours me.
Thank God, I am not as these rigid fools,
Even as this Pharisee.”
| The Poems of Alice Meynell | |