Do not cheat thy Heart and tell her,"Grief will pass away,Hope for fairer times in future,And forget to-day."-Tell her,if you will,that sorrow Need not come in vain;Tell her that the lesson taught her Far outweighs the pain.
Cheat her not with the old comfort,"Soon she will forget"-Bitter truth,alas--but matter Rather for regret;Bid her not "Seek other pleasures,Turn to other things:"-Rather nurse her caged sorrow 'Till the captive sings.
Rather bid her go forth bravely.
And the stranger greet;
Not as foe,with spear and buckler,But as dear friends meet;Bid her with a strong clasp hold her,By her dusky wings -Listening for the murmured blessing Sorrow always brings.
