In sinful bonds, and pray and fast in vain.
"At length I thought: although these friends of sin
Have spread their net and caught their prey therein;
Though my hard heart could not for mercy call,
Because, though great my grief, my faith was small;
Yet, as the sick on skilful men rely,
The soul diseased may to a doctor fly.
"A famous one there was, whose skill had wrought
Cures past relief, and him the sinners sought;
Numbers there were denied by mire and filth,