Exclaimed at these whoppings spectacular;

And even the Abbot remarked that the habit

Of scourging oneself might be carried too far.

[Pg 13] “My son,” said he, “I am pleased to see Such penance as never was known before; But you raise such a racket in dusting your jacket, The noise is becoming a bit of a bore.

[Pg 13]

Such penance as never was known before;

But you raise such a racket in dusting your jacket,

The noise is becoming a bit of a bore.

 “How would it do if you whaled yourself From eight to ten or from one to three? Or if ‘More’ is your motto, pray hire a grotto; I know of one you can have rent free.”

From eight to ten or from one to three?

Or if ‘More’ is your motto, pray hire a grotto;

I know of one you can have rent free.”

 Ambrose the anchorite bowed his head, And girded his loins and went away. He rented a cavern not far from a tavern, And tippled by night and scourged by day.

Ambrose the anchorite bowed his head,

And girded his loins and went away.

He rented a cavern not far from a tavern,

And tippled by night and scourged by day.

 The more the penance the more the sin, The more he whopped him the more he drank; Till his hair fell out and his cheeks fell in, And his corpulent figure grew long and lank.

The more the penance the more the sin,

The more he whopped him the more he drank;

 Prev. P 8/75 next