Lest You Err

What world most rejoices and comforts you?
What grieves your heart and disturbs your mind most?
Does the quest for beauty bewitch you?
And, yes, embraces thy vanity the most?

There must be such a heaven to dwell in
The pathway to perfect felicity
A place of pleasure and prurient sin
Ha, that inveigles thy heart to folly!

If you are willing to commit a fault
So you should be content to make amends,
And bring this deceitful wile to a halt
before the shadow of despair descends.

Grieve at the imperfection of the man
Quashing good judgment whenever he can.

 

~Form: Sonnet