Classic Poem

In youthful days ere Pearce had won a place,
His Bible legends lacked of saving grace;
The aim was pious but the paint a snare,
Tho' later on he sought an ampler air,
And struck a sane and more convincing key
With " studies" that, to say the least, were free
Of Laurens' square-touch method that of late
Has roused commiseration for his fate.