The Ship of Fools

"The Ship of Fools", by Hieronymus Bosch

The ship of fools sails blithely on

Through the troubled night.

The blind navigator plots the course;

The captain lacks all sight;

The crew are easily manipulated men

Who keep their eyes shut tight.

The ship of fools sails blithely on

Ever closer to the shoals.

Though the navigator has some charts

He keeps them tightly rolled.

The captain and the crew are inclined

To see what will unfold.

The ship of fools sails blithely on

Filled with ignorant swine

Who spend their day in discourse,

Who argue, boast and opine;

Whose nights are spent in revelry,

In lusting, fighting and much wine.

The ship itself is a lovely craft

And should demand respect

But they muddle with the rigging

And fail to swab the deck,

So the danger is that graceful ark

Will soon be just a broken wreck.

Then the fools will flail about,

Will find their tongues and speak,

Will cry for mercy and guidance,

Make promises they cannot keep,

Before the tides draw them down

To the unsupportive deep.