1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Classic Literature

Read the collected works of Robert Herrick.
More E-texts

To His Conscience

by Robert Herrick
(1591-1674)


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 murk 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.


More: Writer Directory | Book Reviews | Homework Help | E-texts | Timeline | Submit a Review

Explore Classic Literature

Must Reads
By Category

About.com Special Features

Abraham Lincoln, The Great Emancipator

Lincoln is one of those rare figures who becomes more interesting the more you learn about him. More >

The US Occupation of Haiti

Responding to near-anarchy in the Republic of Haiti, the United States occupied the nation from 1915 to 1934. More >

Classic Literature

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Classic Literature
Add to:

©2010 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.