One day a fisherman cast his line

Into a clear and rippling brook;

With tempting bait, quite skillfully

He hid from view the barbed hook.

A hungry fish by chance came by.

That dinner caught his watchful eye,

And yielding to the strong appeal,

Enjoyed the pleasure of a meal.

When done, he turned to swim away;

Alas! He found to his dismay

That the fisherman who supplied his meal

Had caught him with a hook of steel.

If sinful pleasure tempt your eye,

'Twere better just to pass it by,

than yield; and find to your dismay,

when done, you cannot run away.