The Death And Last Confession Of Wandering Peter

When Peter Wanderwide was young     He wandered everywhere he would:     All that he approved was sung,     And most of what he saw was good.     When Peter Wanderwide was thrown     By Death himself beyond Auxerre,     He chanted in heroic tone     To priests and people gathered there:     "If all that I have loved and seen     Be with me on the Judgment Day,     I shall be saved the crowd between     From Satan and his foul array.     "Almighty God will surely cry,     'St. Michael! Who is this that stands     With Ireland in his dubious eye,     And Perigord between his hands,     "'And on his arm the stirrup-thongs,     And in his gait the narrow seas,     And in his mouth Burgundian songs,     But in his heart the Pyrenees?'     "St. Michael then will answer right     (And not without angelic shame),     'I seem to know his face by sight:     I cannot recollect his name . . . . ?'     "St. Peter will befriend me then,     Because my name is Peter too:     'I know him for the best of men     That ever walloped barley brew.     "'And though I did not know him well     And though his soul were clogged with sin,     I hold the keys of Heaven and Hell.     Be welcome, noble Peterkin.'     "Then shall I spread my native wings     And tread secure the heavenly floor,     And tell the blessed doubtful things     Of Val d'Aran and Perigord."