The Ballad of an Innocent Man.

( Joseph Ducreux, Surprised Scared Face, 18th Century Man).

The Ballad of an Innocent Man.

’Twas not me wot done it,
I can tell you that first hand,
For what stands ‘ere afore you,
Is the form of an innocent man!
Never have I deliberately lusted,
Nor crossed a madam’s palm,
The demon drink has rarely touched these lips,
Of this innocent man.
I rise each and every morning,
Aft’ the sleep of a babe,
I wash the night-dreams from my eyes,
And confront a busy day,
For I knows full well the devil’s work,
That idle hands will play,
But for my hands there’s work aplenty,
As I fill my innocent day.
I’ve never a cross nor abusive word,
To sling at my fellow man,
On the contrary, I declare I am a poet,
When it comes to required verbal command.
And as for dogs and other beasts,
I only show a respectful hand.
I honour my father and mother,
And give reverence to my spouse and lover.
I praise the works of The Lord,
I donate to my church ample reward,
Attend to take regular communion,
With that congregational union.
Whatever are my private consults,
They are kept within memory’s vault,
For whatever sins I have secretly thought,
The origins were not all my fault.
For the wicked world lays many traps,
That can trip an innocent man,
Perhaps ;
The glance of a woman’s tempting eyes,
The tender touch of a woman’s hand,
The curvaceous tilt of her supple thighs,
Would be ungentlemanly to refuse to attend.
A soft spoken word she whisp’s in an ear,
When at my weakest and hunger to hear,
The brush of her tender lips agin’ my cheek,
May make manly resistance grow oh so weak,
Add to these nature’s fierce command,
To refuse the urge of blood demand,
‘Twould constitute against her gift agrieve,
The one sin God WILL NOT FORGIVE!
So when you accuse that I am condemned,
For this one duty of irresistible command,
Remember you are making unfair judgement,
On the life on this innocent man!