42. Fair Words

Thy words are good, and freely given,
As though thou felt them true;
Friend, think thee well, to hell or heaven A serious heart is due.

It pains thee sore, man's will should swerve In his true path divine;
And yet thou ventur'st nought to serve Thy neighbour's weal nor thine.

Beware! such words may once be said,
Where shame and fear unite;
But, spoken twice, they mark instead A sin against the light.

Gibraltar.
December 17, 1832.