Page:Ethel Churchill Fragments III.pdf/33

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CHAPTER XXX.


THE CHALLENGE,


'Tis a strange mystery, the power of words!
Life is in them, and death. A word can send
The crimson colour hurrying to the cheek,
Hurrying with many meanings; or can turn
The current cold and deadly to the heart.
Anger and fear are in them; grief and joy
Are on their sound; yet slight, impalpable:—
A word is but a breath of passing air.



Blanchard’s title is:

THE POWER OF WORDS