The first clause is switched back to front: the first line tells what lust that acts is.
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The act that spends self in a waste of shame
Is lust that acts; and till it acts, that lust
Lies, kills, is stained with blood, is full of blame,
Harsh, too far, rude, cruel, not to trust;
As soon lived up then hate it straight;
Past all sense we hunt it; and, soon as had,
Past all sense we hate it, as mouth-bit bait,
That's laid as if to make who takes it mad:
Mad in the chase, and when you have it too;
Had, now have, and in quest to have, too steep;
A bliss in proof, and proved, in truth, a woe;
To come, a joy that's planned; once done, a dream.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the bliss that leads men to this hell.
-- Will the Bard
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