The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay With Illustrations by John Gilbert |
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FORBEARANCE. |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
 | The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay |  |
81
FORBEARANCE.
I
Why should we pluck the dewy roseThat scents the early morn,
Or strive to snare the happy bird
That warbles on the thorn?
We'll leave the flower to woo the sun,
The free bird in the air;
And walk through pleasures, grasping none,
Repaid if we forbear.
II
When scorners scorn, or foes revile,Or friends look dark and shy,
We'll neither give them scorn for scorn,
Nor pass them coldly by;
We'll check the storm of rising pride,
And keep a temper fair,—
Warn'd by the Angel at our side,
That whispers to forbear.
III
And should the foe who did us wrongLie powerless in our hands,
We'll think no more of evil done,
To shame him where he stands.
We'll strive to act a nobler part,—
We'll pity—hear—and spare;—
And win an entrance to his heart,
By all that we forbear.
| The Collected Songs of Charles Mackay | |