"LOVE, VICE, CRIME, AND SIN"

The lips of Vice were painted,

The face of Vice was white,

Love passed on unacquainted,

Intent on Love's delight.

And though Love's heart beat faster

Beneath the eyes of Crime,

His breath he strove to master,

And hummed a foolish rhyme.

But when the sun was shining

Love reached a shadowy place,

And there at last reclining

Sin had his true love's face.

(1895)

oxenofthesun