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Poem
January 15, 1856
Daily American Organ
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A satirical dialogue where a boy questions a priest on the Catholic confession hierarchy and fees, concluding he will confess directly to God to avoid paying.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
March of Intellect.
A parent asked a priest his boy to bless,
Who forthwith charged him he must first confess.
"Well," said the boy,
"suppose, sir, I am willing,
What is your charge?" "To you 'tis but a shilling."
"Must all men pay, and all men make confession?"
"Yes, every man of Catholic profession."
"And who do you confess to?"
"Why, the Dean."
"And do the Deans, confess?"
"Yes, boy, they do!
Confess to the Bishops, and pay smartly too."
"Do Bishops, sir, confess? If so, to whom?"
"Why, they do confess, and pay the Pope of Rome."
"Well," quoth the boy,
"all this is mighty odd."
"And does the Pope confess?" "Oh, yes. to God."
"And does God charge the Pope?"
"No,
quoth the Priest,
"God charges nothing."
"Oh, then, God is best.
God is able to forgive, and always willing—
To Him I will confess, and save my shilling."
A parent asked a priest his boy to bless,
Who forthwith charged him he must first confess.
"Well," said the boy,
"suppose, sir, I am willing,
What is your charge?" "To you 'tis but a shilling."
"Must all men pay, and all men make confession?"
"Yes, every man of Catholic profession."
"And who do you confess to?"
"Why, the Dean."
"And do the Deans, confess?"
"Yes, boy, they do!
Confess to the Bishops, and pay smartly too."
"Do Bishops, sir, confess? If so, to whom?"
"Why, they do confess, and pay the Pope of Rome."
"Well," quoth the boy,
"all this is mighty odd."
"And does the Pope confess?" "Oh, yes. to God."
"And does God charge the Pope?"
"No,
quoth the Priest,
"God charges nothing."
"Oh, then, God is best.
God is able to forgive, and always willing—
To Him I will confess, and save my shilling."
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Satire Society
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
March Of Intellect
Confession
Priest Boy Dialogue
Catholic Hierarchy
Religious Satire
Pope Dean Bishop
Poem Details
Title
March Of Intellect.
Subject
Satire On Catholic Confession And Hierarchy
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets Dialogue
Key Lines
"Oh, Then, God Is Best.
God Is Able To Forgive, And Always Willing—
To Him I Will Confess, And Save My Shilling."