Lint

Searching soul I find but dust
I cannot love and will not trust
Friends I have are scarce and few
and scarcer still are friendships true
My heart feels gray and aches regret
it longs to melt but will not let
Why have I no feelings good
of peace and love and brotherhood?
Where have gone my virtues pure?
Sacrificed to pleasure's lure?

Watching now myself from far
I see the wound and horrid scar
Others' eyes it pleases not
and seems as ugliness and rot
this comes to me as some surprise
a thing I could not have surmised
My own self I did so exalt
I could not see my naked faults
And acted out behaviour foul
at which in others I would scowl
My flaws in vain I sought to hide
when only should I bury pride
And bearing modest nature hence
I'll try to offer no offence
but should I falter, pray forgive
for all have faults that also live.