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.
