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Lines Rhymed In A Letter From Oxford

by John Keats

I.

    The Gothic looks solemn,
    The plain Doric column
    Supports an old Bishop and Crosier;
    The mouldering arch,
    Shaded o'er by a larch
    Stands next door to Wilson the Hosier.

II.

    Vice that is, by turns,
    O'er pale faces mourns
    The black tassell'd trencher and common hat;
    The Chantry boy sings,
    The Steeple-bell rings,
    And as for the Chancellor dominat.

III.

    There are plenty of trees,
    And plenty of ease,
    And plenty of fat deer for Parsons;
    And when it is venison,
    Short is the benison,
    Then each on a leg or thigh fastens.