LIFE

(SHAKESPEAREAN)

PRIDE & HUMILITY

Upon the stage of life, where mortals tread,

Two players don their masks, in contrast set,

One, Pride, in robes of gold, holds high his head,

The other, Humility, in humble debt.

Pride struts and boasts, with arrogance in tow,

His chest puffed up, he claims the world his own,

Yet blind he is to seeds of hubris sown,

And reaps the bitter fruits when they are grown.

Humility, a gentle hearted soul,

With grace and kindness, seeks no grand parade,

In shadows dwells, yet plays a noble role,

With modesty, his virtue is displayed.

So let us learn from this immortal tale,

That truest greatness dons a humble veil.

ENVY & KINDNESS

In shadows deep, where bitter hearts reside,

Envy lurks, a serpent's fang uncurled,

With venomous intent, it doth confide,

And weaves its webs around the envy-furled.

Yet in this world, where darkness oft holds sway,

Kindness, like a beacon, cuts through night,

With gentle touch and words that softly weigh,

It sparks a flame, a warm and guiding light.

Envy's flame may sear and leave a scar,

Its embers burning deep within the soul,

But kindness, like a soothing healing balm,

Can mend the wounds and make a broken whole.

So choose, dear heart, which path thou wilt pursue,

For kindness' grace outshines envy's hue.

GLUTTONY & TEMPERANCE

In banquet halls, where opulence holds sway,

Gluttony reigns, a ravenous desire,

Consume and hoard, let reason fade away,

To heedless feasting, stoke the reckless fire.

Yet temperance, a steadfast sentinel,

Stands firm against the tide of excess fare,

With measured step, it guides with gentle spell,

And bids us to a balanced life to share.

The bloated belly, burdened by its load,

May find no solace in the feast's excess,

But in restraint, true bounty is bestowed,

A feast of senses, not in thoughtlessness.

So let thy heart be ruled by temperate grace,

For in restraint, true pleasures find their place.

LUST & CHASTITY

In shadows deep, where passions fiercely play,

Lust weaves its web, a siren's tempting call,

A fleeting flame that leads the heart astray,

And in its wake, leaves naught but bitter gall.

But chastity, a jewel pure and bright,

Stands sentinel, guarding virtue's bower,

With strength to turn from passion's transient flight,

And keep alive love's true and lasting power.

For in the throes of fleeting, wanton bliss,

The soul is lost, adrift in empty seas,

Yet chastity, a sanctuary's kiss,

Restores the heart, and sets the spirit free.

So choose, dear heart, the path that thou shalt tread,

In chastity, true love is nurtured and fed.

WRATH & PATIENCE

When tempests rage and fury fills the air,

Wrath storms through hearts, a fire untamed, unbound,

It blinds the eye, clouds judgment's wise affair,

Leaves scorched earth where once sweet love was found.

But patience, like a gentle zephyr's breath,

Stands strong 'gainst anger's wild and roaring blast,

With steady hand, it tempers rage and death,

And guides the soul through trials that are vast.

For in the forge of wrath, true bonds are frayed,

And bridges burn, leaving naught but ash behind,

Yet patience weaves a tapestry well-made,

A quilt of peace and love, of heart and mind.

So, when in storms of anger, take thy stance,

Let patience be thy shield, thy sword, thy lance.

GREED & CHARITY

In chambers dark, where greed's covetous eyes,

Amass their treasures, hoarding gold and gain,

A hunger insatiable, no soul denies,

A thirst for wealth that feeds on others' pain.

But charity, a beacon in the night,

Illuminates the path of selflessness,

With open heart, it seeks to set things right,

And banish shadows born of greed's excess.

For in the endless chase for wealth and more,

The soul grows heavy, burdened by its load,

Yet charity, like manna from heaven's store,

Brings light and warmth upon life's arduous road.

So let thy heart be moved by love's decree,

In charity, true riches thou shalt see.

SLOTH & DILIGENCE

In shadows deep, where sloth holds its domain,

A lethargy o'erwhelms the eager soul,

With heavy limbs and languid, dull refrain,

Ambition's fire is quenched, its embers cold.

Yet diligence, a beacon shining bright,

Illumes the path of purpose and of toil,

With steadfast heart and resolute delight,

It tills the soil, turns sweat and blood to soil.

For in the forge of labor's honest sweat,

True progress blooms, like flowers in the spring,

While sloth, a specter that we must forget,

Leaves barren fields, where naught but weeds take wing.

So let thy spirit rise, cast sloth away,

In diligence, find strength to face the day.

(PETRARCHAN)

PRIDE & HUMILITY

In pride's embrace, we soar on haughty wings,

Above the world, we deem ourselves divine,

Our ego's song, like an anthem, loudly sings,

As if in grandeur, our essence did entwine.

Yet in the quiet realm of humility,

We find a grace that whispers to the heart,

A gentle strength, a deeper unity,

In humbleness, where truest virtues start.

Pride builds a fortress tall, but cold and stern,

While humble hearts are bridges made of gold,

For in the act of learning, we discern,

That kindness is the treasure wealth cannot hold.

So let us shed the robes of vanity,

Embrace humility, and set hearts free.

ENVY & KINDNESS

Beneath the boughs of envy's twisted tree,

The poison fruit of bitterness does grow,

Its tendrils coil, entwining you and me,

In shadows deep, where wicked feelings sow.

But kindness, like a beacon in the night,

Illuminates the soul with gentle grace,

It scatters seeds of love, takes fervent flight,

And in its wake, leaves trails of warm embrace.

For envy's gaze is fixed on others' gain,

Its bitter root in comparison sown,

Yet kindness finds its strength in giving, plain,

In lifting others up, we find our own.

So let us choose the path that leads us right,

Let kindness guide our hearts through darkest night.

GLUTTONY & TEMPERANCE

In banquet halls where gluttony holds sway,

Excess and opulence are hailed as grand,

The feast, a spectacle, a wild display,

Where appetites run rampant, unchecked, unplanned.

Yet temperance, a noble sentinel,

Stands firm against the torrent of indulgence,

With measured step, it treads a prudent trail,

And in its wake, leaves wisdom's recompense.

For in the reckless rush of boundless fare,

The soul is lost in glut and hollow glee,

But temperance, with steady, vigilant care,

Restores the balance to humanity.

So let us heed the call of temperate mind,

In moderation's arms, true riches find.

LUST & CHASTITY

In heated hearts, where passions burn and flare,

Lust wraps its tendrils tight around the soul,

A fleeting fire, a tempest without care,

That seeks to claim its toll, exact its toll.

Yet chastity, a fortress strong and true,

Stands guard against the tempest's raging might,

With virtue's shield, it keeps the heart anew,

And guides it through the dark and stormy night.

For in the throes of passion's wild embrace,

The soul may lose itself in reckless flight,

But chastity, with its restraining grace,

Preserves the sacred flame, the inner light.

So let thy heart be guided by the wise,

In chastity, true love will ever rise.

WRATH & PATIENCE

In fury's forge, where anger's flames burn bright,

Wrath storms through hearts, a tempest fierce and wild,

It blinds the eyes, obscures reason's light,

Leaves naught but chaos, like a reckless child.

Yet patience, like a river's steady flow,

Stands firm against the torrents of disdain,

With tranquil hand, it quells the surging woe,

And in its wake, brings calm after the rain.

For in the fire of uncontrolled ire,

True bonds are shattered, leaving hearts in pain,

But patience, like a phoenix in the fire,

Emerges stronger, free from anger's chain.

So when wrath's tempest threatens to enthrall,

Let patience be thy fortress, strong and tall.

GREED & CHARITY

In vaults of greed, where avarice holds sway,

The golden idols gleam with hollow might,

Hearts bound in chains, as treasures lead astray,

And blind the soul to virtue's guiding light.

But charity, a beacon pure and bright,

Illuminates the path of selflessness,

With open hand, it turns the darkest night,

And banishes the shadows of distress.

For in the race for wealth and endless gain,

The spirit withers, burdened by its load,

Yet charity, like gentle April rain,

Revives the earth, and brings forth life bestowed.

So let thy heart be warmed by love's decree,

In charity, true riches thou shalt see.

SLOTH & DILIGENCE

In realms where sloth extends its languid reign,

The hours slip by in listless, idle haze,

No purpose stirs, no efforts to attain,

As life's potential dims in sluggish daze.

Yet diligence, a beacon in the gloom,

Ignites the fire of purpose, strong and clear,

With steadfast heart, it weaves a vibrant loom,

And turns each moment into gems most dear.

For in the forge of labor's patient toil,

True progress blooms, like flowers in the spring,

While sloth, a specter draped in listless foil,

Leaves barren fields where dreams can take no wing.

So let thy spirit rise, cast sloth away,

In diligence, find strength to face the day.