Poems (Eliot, 1920)/Mr. Eliot's Sunday Morning Service
For other versions of this work, see Mr. Eliot's Sunday Morning Service.
Mr. Eliot's Sunday Morning Service
PolyphiloprogenitiveThe sapient sutlers of the LordDrift across the window-panes.In the beginning was the Word.
In the beginning was the Word.Superfetation of τò ἔν, And at the mensual turn of timeProduced enervate Origen.
A painter of the Umbrian schoolDesigned upon a gesso groundThe nimbus of the Baptized God.The wilderness is cracked and browned
But through the water pale and thinStill shine the unoffending feetAnd there above the painter setThe Father and the Paraclete.······The sable presbyters approachThe avenue of penitence; The young are red and pustular Clutching piaculative pence.
Under the penitential gates Sustained by staring Seraphim Where the souls of the devout Burn invisible and dim.
Along the garden-wall the bees With hairy bellies pass between The staminate and pistilate, Blest office of the epicene.
Sweeney shifts from ham to ham Stirring the water in his bath. The masters of the subtle schools Are controversial, polymath.