 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
YOUTH'S WARNING.
I
Beware, exulting youth, beware,When life's young pleasures woo,
That ere you yield you shrive your heart,
And keep your conscience true!
For sake of silver spent to-day,
Why pledge to-morrow's gold?
Or in hot blood implant Remorse,
To grow when blood is cold?
If wrong you do, if false you play,
In summer among the flowers,
You must atone, you shall repay,
In winter among the showers.
II
To turn the balances of HeavenSurpasses mortal power;
For every white there is a black,
For every sweet a sour.
For every up there is a down,
For every folly, shame;
And retribution follows guilt,
As burning follows flame.
203
In summer among the flowers,
You must atone, you shall repay,
In winter among the showers.
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |