Limerick

[Richard Barrett]

While looking for something else entirely, I came upon this.

I leave it with you, to do with as you please.

Enchanté.

[un barbu]

"An Anglican vicar in want
Of a portable, second-hand font
Will exchange for the same
A photo (with frame)
Of the Bishop-Elect of Vermont. "

As Chesterton wrote,

"Mary of Holyrood may smile indeed.
Knowing what grim, historic shade it shocks,
To see wit, laughter and the Popish creed
Cluster and sparkle in the name of Knox."

[jean]

Indeed. Though there's a surprising number of variants in existence, some more satisfying than others. That's perhaps because Knox is said to have produced it extempore, inspired by a newspaper reference to the nicely-scanning Bishop-elect of Vermont.

Knox also wrote the summary of Berkeleyan philosophy:

There once was a man who said: "God
Must think it exceedingly odd
If he finds that this tree
Continues to be
When there's no one about in the Quad."

And this, directed at the Modernists:

O God, for as much as without Thee
We are not enabled to doubt Thee,
Help us all, by Thy grace,
To convince the whole race
It knows nothing whatever about Thee.

[un barbu]

There once was a man who said: "God
Must think it exceedingly odd
If he finds that this tree
Continues to be
When there's no one about in the Quad."

[/I]

I'm not sure who responded

Dear Sir, Your amazement is odd.
I am always about in the quad
And therefore this tree
Continues to be
Observed by, yours faithfully, God.