PARSON GRAY

by: Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774)

QUIET home had Parson Gray,

Secluded in a vale;

His daughters all were feminine,

And all his sons were male.

 

How faithfully did Parson Gray

The bread of life dispense--

Well "posted" in theology,

And post and rail his fence.

 

'Gainst all the vices of the age

He manfully did battle;

His chickens were a biped breed,

And quadruped his cattle.

 

No clock more punctually went,

He ne'er delayed a minute--

Nor ever empty was his purse,

When he had money in it.

 

His piety was ne'er denied;

His truths hit saint and sinner;

At morn he always breakfasted;

He always dined at dinner.

 

He ne'er by any luck was grieved,

By any care perplexed--

No filcher he, though when he preached,

He always "took" a text.

 

As faithful characters he drew

As mortal ever saw;

But ah! poor parson! when he died,

His breath he could not draw!

• Oliver Goldsmith - A biography and list of links.
• Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) - A biography and list of links.
• Oliver Goldsmith: Bibliography - A bibliography of the works of Oliver Goldsmith; includes a list of biographical and critical resources.
• An Essay on the Theatre; or, a Comparison Between Laughing and Sentimental Comedy - An attack by Oliver Goldsmith on the "sentimental comedy" of his day.
• She Stoops to Conquer - A synopsis of the play by Goldsmith.
• Purchase books by Oliver Goldsmith