There are, as we know, seven principle virtues—four cardinal virtues and three theological ones—I a daresay that abortion manages to violate all seven of them. Few sins, I think, can claim such thoroughness in being so opposed to virtue.

Abortion and Prudence

Our enemies press upon us,
Accusers and despisers--
They say we're too judgmental, too intolerant--
Though they've never taken much time,
Nor exerted any effort to understand
Why we think and believe the way we do.

"Your beliefs are so unfair" they cry,
Sophists and relativists all--
"Any morality which holds sins to account
Is simply too rigid, too old and stale"--
they crucify and cast sharp stones,
And tell us we're the unloving ones.

Our foes persecute, even pursue, us,
Mobs and armies alike--
Crying to spill out our blood,
Reveling in the self-pity which kills mercy,

Dark rumors surface in whispers which
Escape the lips of of the self-styled "street informants,"
A scandal once hidden is now unearthed.
It's been taken by the gutter press and used:
In their hands, it is little more than a cudgel,
Meant to batter, to bludgeon their target.
Soon the mainstream press discovers the secret,
And in their hands it becomes a sword unsheathed,
Swung wildly, still it can be used to smite,
Though emboldened by this weapon they overplay
Their seemingly unstoppable hand--they swing at too
Much--and so themselves are exposed.

Of Truth in all its beauty I am a seeker,
And of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom--
Each of these gifts teach me to judge with equity,
To treat others as being equal to myself.

To each his fair share I pledge to give,
Let me not be known for cheating and stealing,
Nor for taking what is not rightly mine to take--
I will demand nothing I've not earned.

To him who has no voice I lend mine,
For those who have nothing I'll lend my arms--
But I'll not do this at the rich man's expense either:
For he too must be accorded his rights.

I am ever grateful for hospitality,
But I don't wish to impose on good graces,
Nor to place undue stress on my hosts.
'Tis not my prerogative to do so,
I'll not overburden with my presence--
I've stayed quite late.