In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark of night
As I peered out through my lattice
A young man came in sight.
He was but a lad—a simpleton,
He whistled along his way;
He took no thought of where he trod
But allowed his feet to stray.
In the twilight, in the evening,
At the closing of the day,
I watched a figure lurking,
A-waiting on her prey.
The simple youth, oblivious
To danger down the road,
Hummed away a thoughtless tune
As he bore his weightless load.
In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark of night,
A woman caught and kissed him!
Her embrace was warm and tight.
The simple lad breathed deeply
Her strong and sweet perfume.
His foolish heart was flattered,
Oblivious to his doom.
In the twilight, in the evening,
In the black and dark of night,
The harlot’s tender whispers
Set the young man’s heart alight.
“My bed is spread with tapestry,
And sprinkled with myrrh and spice,
Let’s take our fill of love ‘till dawn,
I won’t charge any price.”
In the twilight, in the evening,
At the closing of the day,
I watched him through my lattice
Follow the harlot down the way.
As an ox goes to the slaughter,
As a bird caught in the snare
The foolish lad knew not his end
Was in the harlot’s lair.
Oh, heed my son, to wisdom!
Let not flatt’ring sins entice.
For all who embrace the harlot
Have paid too high a price.
In the twilight, in the evening,
In the bitter black of night,
Their anguished cries of torment rise
To bemoan their eternal plight.
