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the smile and frown.
The Smile and Frown.
Timidly, a child of error
Towards virtue's pathway turned;
Half in hope and half in terror,
Lest her presence should be spurned.
Towards virtue's pathway turned;
Half in hope and half in terror,
Lest her presence should be spurned.
Sadly was her heart retracing
Times when, innocent and pure,
She her happy home was gracing,
Seemingly from guilt secure.
Times when, innocent and pure,
She her happy home was gracing,
Seemingly from guilt secure.
But temptations had assailed her,
And she tampered with their power;
And the self she leaned on failed her
In the dark and trying hour.
And she tampered with their power;
And the self she leaned on failed her
In the dark and trying hour.
Then what throes of bitter sorrow
In her guilt-stained heart had place,
As she wakened every morrow,
Tortured with despair, disgrace!
In her guilt-stained heart had place,
As she wakened every morrow,
Tortured with despair, disgrace!
How she yearned for peace departed,
For the world's approving smile;
Fellowship with earth's pure hearted,
Friendships unalloyed with guile!
For the world's approving smile;
Fellowship with earth's pure hearted,
Friendships unalloyed with guile!
