Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THREE GATES [OF GOLD], by ELIZABETH DAYTON First Line: If you are tempted to reveal Last Line: What the result of speech may be. Alternate Author Name(s): Day, Beth Subject(s): Truth | ||||||||
IF YOU ARE TEMPTED to reveal A tale to you someone has told About another, make it pass, Before you speak, three gates of gold. These narrow gates: First, "Is it true?" Then, "Is it needful?" In your mind Give truthful answer. And the next Is last and narrowest, "Is it kind?" And if to reach your lips at last It passes through these gateways three, Then you may tell the tale, nor fear What the result of speech may be. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...INCLINED TO SPEAK by LAWRENCE JOSEPH WHAT IS TRUTH? by JOHN BOWRING EVERYTHING THAT ACTS IS ACTUAL by DENISE LEVERTOV LYING MY HEAD OFF by CATE MARVIN TRUTH SERUM by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE FROST AND HIS ENEMIES by ROBERT BLY |
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