The Cynic's Word Book. Bierce Ambrose

           But why, O why, has ne'er an eye

           Seen her of winsome manner

           And youthful grace and pretty face

           Flaunting the White Cross banner?

           Now where's the need of speech and screed

           To better our behaving?

           A simpler plan for saving man

           (But, first, is he worth saving?)

           Is, dears, when he declines to flee

           From bad thoughts that beset him,

           Ignores the Law as't were a straw,

           And wants to sin – don't let him.