the gargoyle often makes its perch

on a cathedral or a church,

where, mid ecclesiastic style,

it smiles an early-gothic smile.

and while the parson, dignified,

spouts at his weary flock inside,

the gargoyle, from its lofty seat,

spouts at the people in the street,

and, like the parson, seems to say

to those beneath him, "let us spray."

i like the gargoyle best; it plays

so cheerfully on rainy days,

while parsons (no one can deny)

are awful dampers—when they're dry.