Barbarians may be at the gates,
But nibbling at my brethren’s heart
The virus wherefrom it takes start,
Subtle indifference to one’s mates.
Conversion happens quickly—late’s
The hour already: truth and art
From men’s concern do first depart,
Whilst money-love facilitates.

Emasculated, men thus let
(As shadows eat the moon, unwary)
Into their hearts the adversary,
No Trojan horse required to get
Access; but infiltration met
With lack of care, then times get scary,
Base nature turns hirsute and hairy,
Then ransacked treasure’s cabinet.