Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/92

88 Ay, let it pass—it is a lesson more;

And daily we learn something of the world

Which it is well to know, though learning it

We tread on thorns where we saw only roses,

And find an ignis fatuus in a star.

A SCRAP FROM MY PORTFOLIO.

, uncurl thy lip of pride,

Scorn not wholly human weakness;

Thou shalt learn, when thou art tried,

More of sin-forgiving meekness.

Is the world's condemning sneer

Cast upon thy fellow-man?

Bravely let thy smile, thy tear,

Cheer to virtue if it can.

Does the frail one pass thee by

With a bended brow of sadness—

Frown not, in that heart now lie

Thoughts that scorch the brain to madness.

Life is strong, and hearts are frail—

In the struggle man may fall;

But if aught from us avail,

Shall we answer not the call?

Check thy spirit's wayward scorn,

Wreathe thy lip with smiles of love,

Bind the heart remorse hath torn,

And let kindness virtue move.