194
POEMS.
Some there are revered in story,
Honored names of patriot, sage;
Would that stain of little follies
Sullied not their memory's page.
Honored names of patriot, sage;
Would that stain of little follies
Sullied not their memory's page.
Friendly warning, sailor heeding,
Trims the sail, and plies the oar;
Skilful pilot, quicksand clearing,
Safely gains his bark the shore.
Trims the sail, and plies the oar;
Skilful pilot, quicksand clearing,
Safely gains his bark the shore.
Thus in others' little follies
Beacon-lights the wise discern;
And by timely watch and caution,
They to good the evil turn.
Beacon-lights the wise discern;
And by timely watch and caution,
They to good the evil turn.
"What some call but little follies,
Foibles, peccadillos slight;
Grievous wrongs in Virtue's eyes are,
Heinous crimes in Heaven's sight.
Foibles, peccadillos slight;
Grievous wrongs in Virtue's eyes are,
Heinous crimes in Heaven's sight.
Little follies—preacher—hearer,
Merchant, statesman, artisan;
Spurn their fetters, be true freemen,
In self-conquest lead the van.
Merchant, statesman, artisan;
Spurn their fetters, be true freemen,
In self-conquest lead the van.
Thus we'll speed the good time coming,
Eden bliss shall mortals see;
When souls like a polished mirror,
Image perfect Purity.
Eden bliss shall mortals see;
When souls like a polished mirror,
Image perfect Purity.
