Explore "Friar Lubin" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
By Clement Marot
To gallop off to town post-haste, / So oft, the times I cannot tell; / To do vile deed, nor feel disgraced, -- / Friar Lubin will do it well. / But a sober life to lead, / To honor virtue, and pursue it, / That's a pious, Christian deed, -- / Friar Lubin can not do it.
To mingle, with a knowing smile, / The goods of others with his own, / And leave you without cross or pile, / Friar Lubin stands alone. / To say 't is yours is all in vain, / If once he lays his finger to it; / For as to giving back again, / Friar Lubin cannot do it.
With flattering words and gentle tone, / To woo and win some guileless maid, / Cunning pander need you none, -- / Friar Lubin knows the trade. / Loud preacheth he sobriety, / But as for water, doth eschew it; / Your dog may drink it, -- but not he; / Friar Lubin cannot do it.
ENVOY / When an evil deed 's to do / Friar Lubin is stout and true; / Glimmers a ray of goodness through it, / Friar Lubin cannot do it.