Ballads in Blue China by Andrew Lang
page 25 of 75 (33%)
page 25 of 75 (33%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
He does not hold a man may well be slain Who vexes with unseasonable speech, You MAY do murder for five ducats gain, NOT for a pin, a ribbon, or a peach; He ventures (most consistently) to teach That there are certain cases that befall When perjury need no good man appal, And life of love (he says) may keep a leaven. Sure, hearing this, a grateful world will bawl, "Escobar makes a primrose path to heaven!" "For God's sake read me somewhat in the strain Of his most cheering volumes, I beseech!" Why should I name them all? a mighty train - So many, none may know the name of each. Make these your compass to the heavenly beach, These only in your library instal: Burn Pascal and his fellows, great and small, Dolts that in vain with Escobar have striven; I tell you, and the common voice doth call, Escobar makes a primrose path to heaven! ENVOY. SATAN, that pride did hurry to thy fall, Thou porter of the grim infernal hall - Thou keeper of the courts of souls unshriven! To shun thy shafts, to 'scape thy hellish thrall, Escobar makes a primrose path to heaven! |
|