Ah me, for my unhappy fate,

Compelled thy words to tolerate!

Such woe is sent to scourge a crime

Committed in some distant time.

For many a day with sinful care

I cherished thee, thou sin and snare,

Kept thee, unwitting, like a cord

Destined to bind its hapless lord.

Mine hours of ease I spent with thee,

Nor deemed my love my death would be,