PERVERSITY
Ah how malignant was the fate that ruled
O'er the creation of poor humankind!
That sent him forth with passions fierce, unschooled,
Of warnings heedless and to danger blind.
Around him swarm a thousand enemies
Whom he with weapons all too weak must fight:
Once beaten down how seldom doth he rise!
How few escape the world's corroding blight!
Yet may he triumph over every foe
While yet he faithful to himself remains;
But 'tis his greatest, most peculiar woe
That in himself a traitor lives and reigns,
A spirit of Perverseness that misleads,
And ever with its mischief taints his deeds.
O'er the creation of poor humankind!
That sent him forth with passions fierce, unschooled,
Of warnings heedless and to danger blind.
Around him swarm a thousand enemies
Whom he with weapons all too weak must fight:
Once beaten down how seldom doth he rise!
How few escape the world's corroding blight!
Yet may he triumph over every foe
While yet he faithful to himself remains;
But 'tis his greatest, most peculiar woe
That in himself a traitor lives and reigns,
A spirit of Perverseness that misleads,
And ever with its mischief taints his deeds.