Thou blind man's mark, thou fool's self-chosen snare,
Fond fancy's scum, and dregs of scatter'd thought;
Band of all evils, cradle of causeless care;
Thou web of will,whose end is never wrought;
Desire, desire! I have too dearly bought,
With price of mangled mind, thy worthless ware;
Too long, too long, asleep thou hast me brought,
Who should my mind to higher things prepare.
But yet in vain thou hast my ruin sought;
In vain thou madest me to vain things aspire;
In vain thou kindlest all thy smoky fire;
For virtue hath this better lesson taught-
Within myself to seek my only hire,
Desiring nought but how to k** desire.