Derrick's Jests or, The Wits Chronicle. Containing A pleasing Variety of Repartees, Puns, Bon-Mots, and other Species of Wit and Humour, Which passed between Samuel Derrick ... and other Persons distinguished for their Wit and Humour. Also A Collection of Poetical Pieces on Various Subjects, By Mr. Derrick and Others. Dedicated to the Public |
 |
|
Upon the Cardinal de Crema, the Pope's Legate, his being found in bed with a Courtezan, after having prohibited Marriage to the Clergy, by the severest Penalties, in the Reign of Henry I.
|
 | Derrick's Jests |  |
Upon the Cardinal de Crema, the Pope's Legate, his being found in bed with a Courtezan, after having prohibited Marriage to the Clergy, by the severest Penalties, in the Reign of Henry I.
“Thrice be triple vengeance spread
Over his devoted head,
Transfix'd with thunder from above,
The minister of angry Jove,
That dares in marriage joys profane
His consecrated hands to stain,
Rise from a strumpet's lewd embrace,
To pray for purity and grace.
Chaste and unstain'd by marriage bliss,
Nor e'en polluted with a kiss,
Be he, to whom the care is giv'n
To execute the charge of heaven.”
Over his devoted head,
Transfix'd with thunder from above,
The minister of angry Jove,
That dares in marriage joys profane
His consecrated hands to stain,
69
To pray for purity and grace.
Chaste and unstain'd by marriage bliss,
Nor e'en polluted with a kiss,
Be he, to whom the care is giv'n
To execute the charge of heaven.”
Thus with a stern forbidding eye,
That seem'd to shun all love and joy,
Spoke the chaste, holy, temp'rate priest;
Then hurried to the midnight feast,
Where beauteous Cloe had agreed
To do whatever he decreed,
And lost his precepts, with his arms
Entwin'd, in her transporting charms:
Thus shew'd, the difference how feint
Between a sinner and a saint.
That seem'd to shun all love and joy,
Spoke the chaste, holy, temp'rate priest;
Then hurried to the midnight feast,
Where beauteous Cloe had agreed
To do whatever he decreed,
And lost his precepts, with his arms
Entwin'd, in her transporting charms:
Thus shew'd, the difference how feint
Between a sinner and a saint.
| Derrick's Jests | |