Can Man Ban Sin? A youth, Uncouth, In truth Begins To think of What he loves From above In his mind; His appetite Is brought to light So that he might Look for and find Volition and grace Enough to displace Desire, and embrace The prudence of age. Heart empty of strife, He'll cleave to a wife; The book of his life Will fill page by page. Then looking back He'll see a lack Of song and sack Upon his lips. Yet he knows He foregoes All of those: If he slips Away Today He may Attest Why, I Die Blessed!
This poem is written in a style similar to that used by Stephen Hawes in The Conversion of Swearers (1509) (the second poem in the collection)