(And also for ourselves, I hope,

As we may ’scape with penance less),

If to each other we confess.

Let each describe his greatest sin,

So, without preface, I’ll begin.

To notice trifles I disdain;

But one fact gives my conscience pain.

’Tis this—there dwelt beside the Rhine

A man who lived by feeding swine.

He had a sow who rambled wide