PLACE your hands in mine, dear, With their rose-leaf touch: If you heed my warning, It will spare you much. Ah! with just such smiling Unbelieving eyes, Years ago I heard it: -- You shall be more wise. You have one great treasure, Joy for all your life; Do not let it perish In one reckless strife. Do not venture all, child, In one frail, weak heart; So, through any shipwreck, You may save a part. Where your soul is tempted Most to trust your fate, There, with double caution, Linger, fear, and wait. Measure all you give, still Counting what you take; Love for love, so placing Each an equal stake. Treasure love; though ready Still to live without. In your fondest trust, keep Just one thread of doubt. Build on no to-morrow; Love has but to-day: If the links seem slackening, Cut the bond away. Trust no prayer nor promise; Words are grains of sand: To keep your heart unbroken, Hold it in your hand. That your love may finish Calm as it begun, Learn this lesson better, Dear, than I have done. Years hence, perhaps, this warning You shall give again, In just the self-same words, dear, And -- just as much -- in vain. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SHANNON AND THE CHESAPEAKE [JUNE 1, 1813] by THOMAS TRACY BOUVE A CHRISTMAS GHOST-STORY; CHRISTMAS-EVE 1899 by THOMAS HARDY BILL AND JOE by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES RESERVE by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE THE LOWEST PLACE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |