The Love Feast by W. H. Auden

The Love Feast

 

In an upper room at midnight

See us gathered on behalf

Of love according to the gospel

Of the radio-phonograph.

 

Lou is telling Anne what Molly

Said to Mark behind her back;

Jack likes Jill who worships George

Who has the hots for Jack.

 

Catechumens make their entrance;

Steep enthusiastic eyes

Flicker after tits and baskets;

Someone vomits; someone cries.

 

Willy cannot bear his father,

Lilian is afraid of kids;

The Love that rules the sun and stars

Permits what He forbids.

 

Adrian's pleasure-loving dachshund

In a sinner's lap lies curled;

Drunken absent-minded fingers

Pat a sinless world.

 

Who is Jenny lying to

In her call, Collect, to Rome?

The Love that made her out of nothing

Tells me to go home.

 

But that Miss Number in the corner

Playing hard to get. . . .

I am sorry I'm not sorry . . .

Make me chaste, Lord, but not yet.