Arthur Hugh Clough (1819–1861)

Thou shalt have one God only; who  
Would tax himself to worship two?  
God’s image nowhere shalt thou see,  
Save haply in the currency:  
Swear not at all; since for thy curse  
Thine enemy is not the worse:  
At church on Sunday to attend  
Will help to keep the world thy friend:  
Honor thy parents; that is, all  
From whom promotion may befall:  
Thou shalt not kill; but needs not strive  
Officiously to keep alive:  
Adultery it is not fit  
Or safe, for women, to commit:  
Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,  
When ’tis so lucrative to cheat:  
False witness not to bear be strict;  
And cautious, ere you contradict.  
Thou shalt not covet; but tradition  
Sanctions the keenest competition.