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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BUILDING UPON THE SAND, by ELIZA COOK Poet's Biography First Line: Tis well to woo, 'tis well to wed | |||
* 'Tis well to woo, 'tis well to wed, * For so the world has done * Since myrtles grew, and roses blew, * And morning brought the sun. * But have a care, ye young and fair- * Be sure ye pledge with truth, * Be certain that your love will wear * Beyond the days of youth. * For, if ye give not heart for heart, * As well as hand for hand, * You'll find you've played the unwise part * And "built upon the sand." * 'Tis well to save, 'tis well to have * A goodly store of gold, * And hold enough of the shining stuff, * For charity is cold. * But place not all your hopes and trust * In what the deep mine brings; * We cannot live on yellow dust * Unmixed with purer things. * And he who piles up wealth alone, * Will often have to stand * Beside his coffer chest, and own * 'Tis "built upon the sand." * 'Tis good to speak in kindly guise, * And soothe where'er we can; * Fair speech should bind the human mind * And love link man to man. * But stay not at the gentle words, * Let deeds with language dwell, * The one who pities starving birds, * Should scatter crumbs as well. * The mercy that is warm and true * Must lend a helping hand, * For those who talk, yet fail to do, * But "build upon the sand." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE OLD ARM-CHAIR by ELIZA COOK A FOREST THOUGHT by ELIZA COOK A HOME IN THE HEART by ELIZA COOK AFTER A MOTHER'S DEATH by ELIZA COOK |
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