Pieter Bruegel the Elder: The Seven Virtues – Temperance (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

May my choice be now as ever
Of all virtues here arrayed
To find balance in true temperance
And for this alone I’ll pray

Let me never be so charitable
That I steal your chance to grow
Yet I’ll not be so parsimonious
That no gifts I may bestow

Let me never be so chaste
That true passion is denied
But make of me no libertine
Whose pleasure comes from pride

May my labours be so diligent
That all honoured aims are met
But I won’t be so obsessive
That all others I forget

Make me know the time for patience
As all seasons come and go
But allow me also speed for when
The hours pass too slow

And above all this is kindness
Let me never be so cruel
But still bless my words with honesty
Let me treat no man as fool

And for last there is humility
A true shield against the dark
But let’s not deny our beauty
Even stars must have a spark

So again for me it’s temperance
Of all the virtues that I seek
It brings order into chaos
And gives strength unto the weak.

(C) Helen Valentina 2013, All Rights Reserved

For mindlovemisery’s prompt at: http://mindlovemisery.wordpress.com/2013/12/29/prompt-36-virtue/