Poetry: Speak Not To Him A Bitter Word

Would'st thou a wanderer reclaim, A wild and reckless spirit tnme; Check the warm flow of youthful blood, And lead a lost one back to God? Pause, if thy spirit's vvrath be 6tirred, Spealc not to him a bitter word - Speak not - that bitter word may be The stamp that seals his destiny. If widely he hath gone astray, And dark excess halh marked his way; 'Tis pitiful, but yet beware, . Reform must come with kindly care - Porbid thy parti.ng lips to move, Save in tbegentle tones of love; Tho' sadly his young heart has erred, Speak not to him a bitter word. The lowering1 frown he will not bear, 'The venomed chiding will not hear: The ardent spirit will not brook The stinging tongue of sharp rebuke; Thou woulilst not goad the reckless steed, To calm his fire and check his speed; Then let not angry tones be heard - Speak not to him a bitter word. Go kindly to him - make him feel ■ Your heart yearn1? decply for hi& weil: Teil lnm the darigers ihick that lay Around his "widely devious way." So shalt thou kindly win him back FroTi ploasure's smooth seductive track; " And warning fliou hast kindly given, May guide the wanderer up to Hcaven.