• I met with Pleasure and Sadness,
    Them with both punishment and caress.
    I with curiosity and solid trust,
    To the two paths of the Great and Corrupt.

    Pleasure was beauty incarnate,
    One who could trap a man's fate.
    Like Venus was her appearance,
    And for her gifts none gave perseverance.

    Sadness was grim but far-seeing,
    Her expression was that of meeting
    The harsh events yet to come.
    The knowledge in her eyes struck me dumb.

    But Pleasure’s perfection was suspicious,
    Of deception and lies I was conscious.
    The promises she gave could be ill-kept,
    And away they could easily be swept.

    Sadness’ perception in me instilled fear
    That the grim things foretold were near,
    The maladies of the future struck me hard,
    And my happy expectations were jarred.

    My mind was conflicted by these choices,
    But I finally took Pleasure’s attractive forces.
    I left behind Sadness’ presented duties,
    And fully took in enjoyment and mercies.

    I thought I had taken the right path;
    And that I had avoided the future’s wrath.
    The lap of permanent luxury seemed imminent,
    Without pain to me being sent.

    After years, I had spent my fortune,
    Yet I was given none of others’ attention.
    Pleasure had tricked me after all,
    And over me fell a great pall.

    I lost my riches, my loves, my dreams,
    And Pleasure now avoided me by all means.
    As I wept over my unwise choice,
    She who is Sadness came with great voice;
    “Know thy, ’labor omnia vincit’,
    Thus with neglect of duty, Sadness is lit.”

    Now, as in poverty I reflect upon this,
    I conclude that sole Pleasure gives a false kiss,
    And Sadness, though it may be strange,
    Can always give more of happiness’ range.