Can I not sin, but thou wilt be <br />My private protonotary? <br />Can I not woo thee, to pass by <br />A short and sweet iniquity? <br />I'll cast a mist and cloud upon <br />My delicate transgression, <br />So utter dark, as that no eye <br />Shall see the hugg'd impiety. <br />Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do please <br />And wind all other witnesses; <br />And wilt not thou with gold be tied, <br />To lay thy pen and ink aside, <br />That in the mirk and tongueless night, <br />Wanton I may, and thou not write? <br />--It will not be: And therefore, now, <br />For times to come, I'll make this vow; <br />From aberrations to live free: <br />So I'll not fear the judge, or thee.<br /><br />Robert Herrick<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-his-conscience/
