And worked as the Master thought proper.

Tongue I wag, pen I ply, who am Abbot;

Stick, thou, Son, to daub-brush and dab-pot!

But, soft! I scratch hard on the scab hot?

Though cured of thy plague, there may linger

A pimple I fray with rough finger?

So soon could my homily transmute

Thy brass into gold? Why, the man 's mute!"

XXII

"Ay, Father, I 'm mute with admiring