When the tongue, with ready art. Bodies forth a servile heart; When Its vows forgotten fade Speedily as they are made; When it raises honor high. But its own life is a lie; When big wonls from nothing leap, "Talk is cheap," for life is cheap. When the tongue with carefulness Tells the truth, nor more nor less; When it boldly dares to speak For the wrong and for the weak; When with modesty and grace Talk adorns a homely place; When it comes from sources deep Talk is anything but cheap. "Speech is silver." sages sing; "Silence is a gulden thing." Other doctrine do I hold: Talk is gold when life is gold. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHITE NOCTURNE by CONRAD AIKEN CONTRA MORTEM: THE BEING AS VISION by HAYDEN CARRUTH LA NOCHE TRISTE by ROBERT FROST THE HARD TIMES IN ELFLAND; A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE by SIDNEY LANIER |