Country Church, Winter Evening

1895

[Congregation, with the Old Hundredth ready for the parson to give out some dismissal words.)

Good Old Parson (not at all meaning rhyme) — The light has grown so very dim I scarce can see to read the hymn.

Congregation, taking it up, to the first half of the "Old Hundredth:"

The light has grown so very dim
I scarce can see to read the hymn.

Pause, as usual. Parson (mildly impatient) — I did not mean to read a hymn. I only meant my eyes were dim.

Congregation, to second part of "Old Hundredth:"

I did not mean to read a hymn.
I only meant my eyes were dim.

Parson (out of patience, etc.):

I didn't mean a hymn at all.
I think the devil's in you all.

—E. FitzGerald's Letter to Fanny Kemble in Temple Bar.