THE TEMPTATION OF Saint ANTHONY
Goblin came, on mischief bent,
To Saint Anthony in Lent.
'Come, ye Goblins, small and big,
We will kill the hermit's pig.
'While the good monk minds his brook
We the hams will cure and cook.
'While he goes down on his knees
We will fry the sausages.
'While he on his breast doth beat
We will grill the tender feet.
'While he David's Psalms doth sing
We will all to table bring.'
On his knees went Anthony
To those imps of Barbary.
'Good, kind goblins, spare his life,
He to me is child and wife.
'He indeed is good and mild
As 'twere any chrisom child.
'He is my felicity,
Spare, oh spare my pig to me!'
But the pig they did not spare,
Did not heed the hermit's prayer.
They the hams did cure and cook,
Still the good Saint read his book.
When they fried the sausages
Still he rose not from his knees.
When they grilled the tender feet
He ceased not his breast to beat.
They did all to table bring,
He for grace the Psalms did sing.
All at once the morning broke,
From his dream the monk awoke.
There in the kind light of day
Was the little pig at play.
R. L. GALES
Summary: 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' by R. L. Gales is a whimsical poem that tells the story of a goblin's attempt to disrupt the peaceful life of Saint Anthony during Lent. The goblins plan to steal and cook the hermit's pig while he is occupied with his religious duties. They describe their mischievous intentions, from curing and cooking the ham to frying sausages and grilling the pig's tender feet, all while the saint is in prayer. However, Saint Anthony pleads with the goblins to spare his beloved pig, emphasizing the pig's significance to him.
In the end, despite his pleas, the goblins go ahead with their cooking and feasting plans. Throughout this mischievous activity, Saint Anthony remains devoted to his religious practices, continuing to pray and sing Psalms. When morning breaks, the saint awakens from what appears to be a dream, only to find that his beloved pig is still alive and playing in the light of day.
This poem blends elements of humour and the sacred, demonstrating the saint's unwavering devotion to his faith, even in the face of tempting distractions and potential disruptions to his solitary life.
