The poem
Unpenitent, I grieve to state, Two good men stood by heaven's gate, Saint Peter coming to await. The stopped the Keeper of the Keys, Saying: "What suppliants are these, Who wait me not on bended knees?
"To get my heavenly Okay A man should have been used to pray, Or suffered in some grievous way."
"Oh I have suffered," cried the first. "Of wives I had the wicked worst, Who made my life a plague accurst.
"Such martyrdom no tongue can tell; In mercy's name it is not well To doom me to another hell."
Saint Peter said: "I comprehend; But tribulations have their end. The gate is open, - go my friend."
Then said the second: "What of me? More I deserve to pass than he, For I've been wedded twice, you see."
Saint Peter looked at him a while, And then he answered with a smile: "Your application I will file.
"Yet twice in double yoke you've driven . . . Though sinners with our Saints we leaven, We don't take IMBECILES in heaven."