 | THE TWO DRAUGHTS. Water-drops |  |
16. THE TWO DRAUGHTS.
There's a draught that causeth sadness,
Though of mirth it seems the friend;
To the brain it mounts in madness,
And in misery hath its end.
To the household hearth it creepeth,
And the fire in winter dies;
There a lonely woman weepeth,
While the famished infant cries.
Bloated form and brow it bringeth,
Limbs that totter to and fro,
And at last, like scorpion, stingeth
To an agony of woe.
Round the victim's feet it weaveth
Snares, that blind his eyes in gloom;
Sin it sows, and shame receiveth,
Frowns of hate, and deeds of doom.
Bitter words of strife it teacheth,
Striketh kind affections dead;
Though of mirth it seems the friend;
To the brain it mounts in madness,
And in misery hath its end.
To the household hearth it creepeth,
And the fire in winter dies;
There a lonely woman weepeth,
While the famished infant cries.
Bloated form and brow it bringeth,
Limbs that totter to and fro,
And at last, like scorpion, stingeth
To an agony of woe.
Round the victim's feet it weaveth
Snares, that blind his eyes in gloom;
Sin it sows, and shame receiveth,
Frowns of hate, and deeds of doom.
Bitter words of strife it teacheth,
Striketh kind affections dead;
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Even beyond the grave it reacheth,
To the judgment bar of dread.
Hath not life enough of sorrow,
Sickness, mourning, and decay,
That we needs must madly borrow
Thorns to strew its shortening way?
There's a draught that heaven distilleth,
Pure as crystal, from the skies;
Freely, whosoever willeth,
May partake it, and be wise.
To the judgment bar of dread.
Hath not life enough of sorrow,
Sickness, mourning, and decay,
That we needs must madly borrow
Thorns to strew its shortening way?
There's a draught that heaven distilleth,
Pure as crystal, from the skies;
Freely, whosoever willeth,
May partake it, and be wise.
| THE TWO DRAUGHTS. Water-drops | |