"Lift not the painted veil" (Collab with Percy Bysshe Shelley)"

"Lift not the painted veil which those who live are blinded by" (Collaboration with Percy Bysshe Shelley)
 
Lift not the painted veil which those who live
Are blinded by that strive to purchase joy
And it but mimic all we would believe
A seductive call to the Gates of Troy
That will lie in flames before we take leave
Prospects vanish obscured by their decoy.
I knew one who had lifted it--he sought,
To find true pleasures that would not decrease
But found them not, alas! nor was there aught 
That could make the longing in his soul cease.  
He’d have cast off all to feel inner peace
A splendour among shadows, a bright blot
Pleading for heaven to trade his increase
For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.
 
by Percy Bysshe Shelley and Steve McKennon

**I decided to "team up" with Shelley to write a sonnet.  The original text from his  "Lift not the painted veil which those who live" is in GREEN and my lines are in BLUE. 

The original sonnet is available at:  http://www.sonnets.org/shelley.htm#300