THE kindly words that rise within the heart, And thrill it with their sympathetic tone, But die ere spoken, fail to play their part, And claim a merit that is not their own. The kindly word unspoken is a sin, -- A sin that wraps itself in purest guise, And tells the heart that, doubting, looks within, That not in speech, but thought, the virtue lies. But't is not so; another heart may thirst For that kind word, as Hagar in the wild -- Poor banished Hagar! -- prayed a well might burst From out the sand to save her parching child. And loving eyes that cannot see the mind Will watch the unexpected movement of the lips. Ah! can you let its cutting silence wind Around that heart and scathe it like a whip? Unspoken words like treasures in a mine Are valueless until we give them birth; Like unfound gold their hidden beauties shine, Which God has made to bless and gild the earth. How sad't would be to see the master's hand Strike glorious notes upon a voiceless lute! But oh, what pain when, at God's own command, A heart-string thrills with kindness, but is mute! Then hide it not, the music of the soul, Dear sympathy expressed with kindly voice, But let it like a shining river roll To deserts dry -- to hearts that would rejoice. Oh, let the symphony of kindly words Sound for the poor, the friendless, and the weak, And He will bless you! He who struck the chords Will strike another when in turn you seek. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF A CAT by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH WELCOME GUEST by JEAN D. ARMSTRONG THE EWE-BUCHTIN'S BONNIE by GRISELL BAILLIE THE TURN OF THE ROAD by JANE BARLOW RECOMPENSE by HAZEL CANNON BRINSON NONUMQUE PREMATUR IN ANNUM by JOHN BYROM THE LORDS' MASQUE: THE FIRST INVOCATION IN A FULL SONG by THOMAS CAMPION |