In law an infant, and in years a boy,
In mind a slave to every vicious joy;
From every sense of shame and virtue wean'd;
In lies an adept, in deceit a fiend;
Versed in hypocrisy, while yet a child;
Fickle as wind, of inclinations wild;
Women his dupe, his heedless friend a tool;
Old in the world, though scarcely broke from school;
Damætas ran through all the maze of sin,
And found the goal when others just begin:
Even still conflicting passions shake his soul,
And bid him drain the dregs of pleasure's bowl;
But, pall'd with vice, he breaks his former chain,
And what was once his bliss appears his bane.
In law an infant, and in years a boy, In mind a slave to every vicious joy; From every sense of shame and virtue wean'd; In lies an adept, in deceit a fiend; Versed in hypocrisy, while yet a child; - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Damaetas is a tutorial written for us to learn from by a classic if flamboyant poet.
The world of different characters beautifully given in the poem.
To excel in vice and be pinched by conscience is a moral message well articulated.
Amazing poem. Time has the power to transform someone's life. Thanks. Damætas ran through all the maze of sin, But, pall'd with vice, he breaks his former chain, And what was once his bliss appears his bane.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
What once his bliss..... thanks for posting.....