The Curious Journey of Sir Puffleton at the Tridentine Mass

Sir Puffleton Blithe took a very long path,
To attend the old Mass in its Latin-clad wrath,
Where candles stood tall and the incense did swing,
And the choir of cherubim softly would sing.

He knelt on the stone with his hat in his hand,
While the Priest faced the East as tradition had planned,
With vestments of gold and a lace alb so fair,
And the Gospel was sung on the breath of the air.

"O Dominus vobiscum!" rang through the nave,
And Sir Puffleton whispered the prayers he gave,
While the bell gave a ding! and the Sanctus took flight,
And Heaven seemed nearer than morning or night.

Then out they all went, with a bow and a smile,
For the Mass in that manner had lasted awhile,
And Sir Puffleton sighed, "It was worth every mile—
For the old ways are splendid, and wholly worthwhile."