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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LITTLE ELF-MAN by JOHN KENDRICK BANGS THE IRISH SPINNING-WHEEL by ALFRED PERCEVAL GRAVES ROBERT E. LEE by JULIA WARD HOWE PREJUDICE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE LAST CHANTEY by RUDYARD KIPLING POOR [OR, COCK] ROBIN by MOTHER GOOSE EPISTLE TO ROBERT, EARL OF OXFORD, AND EARL MORTIMER by ALEXANDER POPE |