Classic Poem

Who thought this snake would e're have found
An entrance into this inclosed ground,
Or that a serpent here should hide his head
Under this sweet and flowry bed:

But 'tis no newes, for long ago
(It was the divels trick man to entice)
A greater serpent made its way into
A better garden, Paradise.

And ever since there is no place
Of pleasure which we would impropriate,
But that therein the serpent showes his face,
Though we discover him too late.

We see him not before we feel
That we by his envenom'd teeth are bit,
And when, Achilles-like, w'are hurt i'th' heel,
We seek for balsom to cure it.

Better it were if we took heed,
How to avoid the serpent e're he stung;
So should we feel no pain, nor medicine need,
But safely sit our flowers among.

Whiles we securely take delight,
Amidst our many sweet and fragrant flowers
The divel serpent turnes, and doth us bite,
And with sharp pains our pleasure sowrs.

Let us look then before we leap,
And timely seek the danger to prevent,
Lest we instead of joyes do sorrowes reap
And when it is too late repent.