The Caution

Any worthy man you know

A yellow snake has in his heart,

Sitting on a throne apart,

Who, when he says, “I would!” says: “No!”

Sink your eyes in staring depths

Of satyresses or of nymphs,

Says the fang: “Just do your job!”

Get you children, plant an arbor,

Polish verses, sculpt some marble,

Says the fang: “You’ll live you slob?”

Whatever he sketch or wish upon,

No man lives a single moment

Without he feels the caution present

Of the viper not to be borne.

Charles Baudelaire