Page:TheYoungMansGuide.djvu/135

 a present  of  the  withered  leaves  to  God, to lay  the  first,  best,  and  rarest  fruits  on  the altar of  Satan,  and  to  offer  to  God  those  which have lain  long  under  the  tree,  have  been devoured by  insects,  and  allowed  to  rot."

6. What  an  awful  punishment  is  on  this account to  be  dreaded  for  the  dissolute  young man! Do you,  therefore,  make  better  resolutions, and  say  to  yourself:  "I  am  still young,  and  I  will  adorn  the  bright  days  of youth  with  virtues.  I  will  give  my  heart  to Him,  to  whom  alone  it  belongs,  and  who  asks so  earnestly  for  it  in  these  words:  'My  Son, give  Me  thy  heart.' "

The heart  of  childhood  is  all  mirth, We frolic  to  and  fro As free  and  blithe,  as  if  on  earth Were no  such  thing  as  woe.

But if  too  soon  with  reckless  faith We trust  the  flattering  voice Which whispers:  "Take  thy  fill  ere  death   Indulge  thee  and  rejoice,"

Too surely  each  succeeding  day Some lost  delight  we  mourn; The flowers  all  fade  along  our  way Till we,  too,  die  forlorn.

— Keble