Classic Poem

Affliction springs not from the earth,
Nor trouble from the dust;
Yet men are heirs of woe by birth;
Sad heritage; but just.

Flames to their element ascend,
So men, conceiv'd in sin,
To trouble as their centre tend,
Like kindred to their kin.

For sin and wo, twins of the clan,
By chance were ne'er convey'd,
But propagate from man to man,
Since Adam disobey'd.