Evil Influence + 

’Tis not the violent hands alone that bring + 

The curse, the ravage, and the downward doom, + 

Although to these full oft the yawning tomb + 

Owes deadly surfeit; but a keener sting, + 

A more immortal agony will cling + 

To the half fashioned sin which would assume + 

Fair Virtue’s garb; the eye that sows the gloom + 

With quiet seeds of Death henceforth to spring + 

What time the sun of passion burning fierce + 

Breaks through the kindly cloud of circumstance; + 

The bitter word, and the unkindly glance, + 

The crust and canker coming with the years, + 

Are liker Death than arrows and the lance + 

Which through the living heart at once doth pierce. + 