A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

252. TO HIS CONSCIENCE

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