BEHOLD those fine threads that are laid to ensnare,
And destroy the gay millions that rove;
For as wanton and heedless they sportively dance,
This sport their destruction will prove.
Too fine to be seen they entangle the prey,
Or if seen they no danger reveal;
They seem but a mansion for pleasure design’d,
While the enemy’s form they conceal.
Thus the glittering baubles that folly displays,
Seem too trifling to strike us with dread;
But if once they entangle we seldom escape,
From the snares that destruction has spread.
Beware thou gay flutt’rer, unconscious as free,
Nor sport when the foe is so near;
There lying in ambush he waits for his prey,
While the traces of carnage appear.
See how the torn remnants lie scatter’d around,
Let their fate be a warning to thee;
And let man who beholds how the victims are caught,
Be warn’d his destruction to flee.
For folly is wary temptation to spread,
And lays her fine nets to decoy;
Till we heedlessly enter and seize to our cost,
The bait that is laid to destroy.
(Elizabeth Bath)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Dancing Poems, Stupidity Poems, Enemy PoemsBased on Keywords: entangle, ensnare, heedlessly, decoy, baubles, sportively