The Priest and the Sinner

Once an old sinner call'd a priest
And told him he would be confest.
The priest in horror heard him tell
Sin after sin, and threaten'd hell
With all its torments after death,
Its fires, its gnashings of the teeth
Eternally : to all the rest
Denounced as certain by the priest
The wretch grew more and more afraid.
But what about the teeth was said
Seem'd more like comfort : the good father
No reasons for such change could gather.
He cried, " Thou shudderest not, my son,
At what so soon is coming on."
" Alas !" the penitent exclaimed,
" I shuddered when that fire was named.
Now, father, if they would but spare
That cursed fire, I should not care
About the teeth ; but two remain.
And they can never gnash again."