A, WARNING. LACE your hands in mine, dear, If you heed my warning, It will spare you much. Where your soul is tempted There, with double caution, Measure all you give-still Counting what you take; Love for love: so placing Each an equal stake. Treasure love; though ready Still to live without. Build on no to-morrow; Love has but to-day: If the links seem slackening, Cut the bond away. Trust no prayer nor promise; Words are grains of sand: To keep your heart unbroken, Hold it in your hand. Years hence, perhaps, this warning You shall give again, In just the self-same words, dear, And-just as much-in vain. MAXIMUS. M ANY, if God should make them kings, The holier office of a slave. I hold him great who, for Love's sake, I prize the instinct that can turn From vain pretence with proud disdain ; I bow before the noble mind That freely some great wrong forgives; Who bears that burden well, and lives. It may be hard to gain, and still To keep a lowly steadfast heart; Yet he who loses has to fill A harder and a truer part. Glorious it is to wear the crown Of a deserved and pure success ;He who knows how to fail has won A Crown whose lustre is not less. Great may he be who can command And rule with just and tender sway; Yet is diviner wisdom taught Better by him who can obey. Blessed are those who die for God, And earn the Martyr's crown of light Yet he who lives for God may be A greater Conqueror in His sight. |