Poems (Eliot, 1926)/The Hippopotamus
For other versions of this work, see The Hippopotamus.
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS
Similiter et omnes revereantur Diaconos, ut mandatum Jesu Christi; et Episcopum, ut Jesum Christum, existentem filium Patris; Presbyteros autem, ut concilium Dei et conjunctionem Apostolorum. Sine his Ecclesia non vocatur; de quibus suadeo vos sic habeo.
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.
S. Ignatii Ad Trallianos.
The broad-backed hippopotamusRests on his belly in the mud;Although he seems so firm to usHe is merely flesh and blood.
Flesh and blood is weak and frail,Susceptible to nervous shock;While the True Church can never failFor it is based upon a rock.
The hippo's feeble steps may errIn compassing material ends,While the True Church need never stirTo gather in its dividends.
The 'potamus can never reachThe mango on the mango-tree;But fruits of pomegranate and peachRefresh the Church from over sea.
At mating time the hippo's voiceBetrays inflexions hoarse and odd,But every week we hear rejoiceThe Church, at being one with God.
The hippopotamus's dayIs passed in sleep; at night he hunts;God works in a mysterious way—The Church can sleep and feed at once.
I saw the 'potamus take wingAscending from the damp savannas,And quiring angels round him singThe praise of God, in loud hosannas.
Blood of the Lamb shall wash him cleanAnd him shall heavenly arms enfold,Among the saints he shall be seenPerforming on a harp of gold.
He shall be washed as white as snow,By all the martyr'd virgins kist,While the True Church remains belowWrapt in the old miasmal mist.