Caveat

Faire Vanity's Conceits - II

Is all the world but Vanity? The crown
Of life but brass and glass, the mantle rags?
The sad-hued crow would have it so; his gown
Too wide, his mind too narrow, his tongue wags
Condemning all he sees. He paints the world
In black and white and somber shades of grey.
With fear of joy his brow is creased and furled,
Seeing Satan's work in colors gay
And laughter, and all pleasures of the flesh.
'Tis Vanity, indeed, to bid the lark
Be mute, the rose but white to bloom, the fresh
And youthful spirit damp its vital spark.
There is, I trow, in God's true artistry
A rich joy and a gay variety!