To Temptation

Here's to temptation!
Give us strength and grace
Against her witching smile,
To set our face!

Oliver Herford

Oliver Herford was born in England on December 2, 1860. He was a British-born American writer, artist, and illustrator, often referred to as 'The American Oscar Wilde' for his sharp wit and humorous works. Herford authored and illustrated many books for children and adults, contributing to magazines such as "The Criterion", "Life", and "Punch". He died on July 5, 1935, in France.

Oliver Herford

The Gargoyle

Oliver Herford, Simple Poetry

The Dog.

Oliver Herford, Simple Poetry

The Shadow Kitten

Oliver Herford, Simple Poetry

Saint Paul

Oliver Herford, Simple Poetry

English

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Temptations.

Temptations hurt not, though they have access:
Satan o'ercomes none, but by willingness.

Robert Herrick

Temptations.

No man is tempted so but may o'ercome,
If that he has a will to masterdom.

Robert Herrick

Temptation.

Those saints which God loves best,
The devil tempts not least.

Robert Herrick

The Temptation

The Demon, in my chamber high,
This morning came to visit me,
And, thinking he would find some fault,
He whispered: "I would know of thee

Among the many lovely things
That make the magic of her face,
Among the beauties, black and rose,
That make her body's charm and grace,

Which is most fair?" Thou didst reply
To the Abhorred, O soul of mine:
"No single beauty is the best
When she is all one flower divine.

When all things charm me I ignore
Which one alone brings most delight;
She shines before me like the dawn,
And she consoles me like the night.

The harmony is far too great,
That governs all her body fair,
For impotence to analyse
And say which note is sweetest there.

O mystic metamorphosis!
My senses int...

Charles Baudelaire

St. Anthony The Reformer - His Temptation

No fear lest praise should make us proud!
We know how cheaply that is won;
The idle homage of the crowd
Is proof of tasks as idly done.

A surface-smile may pay the toil
That follows still the conquering Right,
With soft, white hands to dress the spoil
That sun-browned valor clutched in fight.

Sing the sweet song of other days,
Serenely placid, safely true,
And o'er the present's parching ways
The verse distils like evening dew.

But speak in words of living power, -
They fall like drops of scalding rain
That plashed before the burning shower
Swept o' er the cities of the plain!

Then scowling Hate turns deadly pale, -
Then Passion's half-coiled adders spring,
And, smitten through their leprous mail,
Strike right and left in...

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Temptation.

God tempteth no one, as St. Austin saith,
For any ill, but for the proof of faith;
Unto temptation God exposeth some,
But none of purpose to be overcome.

Robert Herrick