def pad(s, n, p = " ", sep = "|", align = "left"):
    """
    Returns a padded string.
    s = string to pad
    n = width of string to return
    sep = separator (on end of string)
    align = text alignment, "left", "center", or "right"
    """
    if align == "left":
        return (s + (p * n))[:n] + sep
    elif align == "center":
        pos = n + len(s)/2 - n/2
        return ((p * n) + s + (p * n))[pos:pos + n] + sep
    elif align == "right":
        return ((p * n) + s)[-n:] + sep