Classic Poem

When for the least time, thou lett'st fall thine eare
From still attending, things still fit to heare,
And giu'st thy mind way to thy bodies will:
Imagine not thou hold'st the raines so still,
That at thy pleasure thou canst turne her in:
But be assur'd that one dayes soothed sinne,
Will aske thee many to amend and mourne:
And make thy mind so willing to adiourne
That instant-due amendment, that twill breed
A custome to do ill; and that will need
A new birth to reforme. What? May I then
(By any diligence, or powre in men)
Auoid transgression? No, tis past thy powre:
But this thou maist do; euery day and houre,
In that be labouring still, that lets transgression:
And worth my counsell tis, that this impression
Fixt in thy mind, and all meanes vsde in man,
He may transgresse as little as he can.
If still thou saist, To morrow I will win
My mind to this attention: therein
Thou saist as much, as this day I will be
Abiect and impudent: it shall be free
This day for others to liue Lords of me,
To leade and rule me: this day I will giue
Reines to my passions, I will enuious liue,
Wrathfull and lustfull: I will leaue the state
Man holds in me, and turne adulterate,
Vulgar and beastly. See to how much ill
Thou stand'st indulgent. But all this thy will
Shall mend to morrow: how much better twere
This day thou shouldst mans godlike scepter beare:
For if to morrow, in thy strengths neglect,
Much more to day, while tis vncounter-checkt.