 | The music-lesson of Confucius, And Other Poems |  |
111
GENTLE HEART.
‘Vaut mieux être gentil que beau.’—
Romance de Griselidis.
Romance de Griselidis.
I KNOW that Beauty's power is great
To lead to love the heedless mind;
That brilliant eyes may flit like stars,
Yet leave an influence behind;
That lips, like ruby amulets,
Oft hold unwilling souls in thrall;
Their spells are numberless—and yet
A gentle heart is worth them all.
To lead to love the heedless mind;
That brilliant eyes may flit like stars,
Yet leave an influence behind;
That lips, like ruby amulets,
Oft hold unwilling souls in thrall;
Their spells are numberless—and yet
A gentle heart is worth them all.
I know that Wit can lightly win
What earthly charms have never won;
That Beauty fades before her light
As moonlight pales before the sun;
That words enchant like elfin darts
Although invisibly they fall,
And yet—though thousands own their might—
A gentle heart is worth them all.
What earthly charms have never won;
That Beauty fades before her light
As moonlight pales before the sun;
That words enchant like elfin darts
Although invisibly they fall,
And yet—though thousands own their might—
A gentle heart is worth them all.
I know that Wealth can purchase Love:
The best on earth are bought with gold;
That Power needs but to nod his head
To win a myriad to his fold.
All these in turn must cling to Rank,
Like grape-vines to the sunny wall:
The world is swayed by them, and yet
A gentle heart is worth them all.
The best on earth are bought with gold;
That Power needs but to nod his head
To win a myriad to his fold.
All these in turn must cling to Rank,
Like grape-vines to the sunny wall:
The world is swayed by them, and yet
A gentle heart is worth them all.
112
Sweet Dames, remember when ye strive
To hold a lover in your thrall,
Wit, Beauty, Wealth, and Power may aid—
A gentle heart is worth them all.
To hold a lover in your thrall,
Wit, Beauty, Wealth, and Power may aid—
A gentle heart is worth them all.
| The music-lesson of Confucius, And Other Poems | |