 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
THE DANGERS.
I
Oh, child! beware!The treacherous stream runs deep;
The ice may glitter fair,
Yet be too soft thy weight to bear.
Stay, infant, stay! nor 'tempt the dangerous leap;
For winter frost, as thou wilt find,
Is often false as summer wind.
II
Fond youth! beware!The glory in thine eyes,
Or dream of love so fair,
May fade, and leave thee to despair.
Stay, young man, stay! be cautious and be wise;
For Love and Glory lure astray,
And scatter heart-aches on the way.
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III
Old age! beware!Why should thy heart grow cold?
Earth has no sight less fair
Than starveling Avarice and Care.
Stay, old man, stay! nor hoard thine idle gold;
For he who worships wealth alone,
Shall have his heart for burial-stone!
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |