VERSE: A WARNING

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.