Poems (Douglas)/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.
Sadly was her heart retracing 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.
Then what throes of bitter sorrow 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!
Timidly her course was taken, And she entered, fraught with fear,That bright path so long forsaken— Now a thousand times more dear.
Presently a Christian leader, Of professions warm and high,In the cause a giant cedar, Stern in virtue, passed her by,
Who for children of transgression Her most rigid frowns reserved;For from pathway of discretion Right or left she never swerv'd.
So she passed, her garments clutching, As the frown upon her browPlainly said, "Aloof from touching— I am holier than thou!"
The returned, at this repulsion, Would have instantly retired;In her feelings wild revulsion, Better thoughts had nigh expired.
Quickly was her soul assuming Tints too dark to contemplate;All her life's sad future dooming To rebellion, guilt, and hate.
But, whilst demon thoughts assailed her, Hardening all within; the whileGentle accents kindly hailed her, And she met an angel smile.
One whose heart possessed that feeling Wanting which, an angel's tongue,All the light of heaven revealing, Is but as a cymbal rung:
Smiled—and oh the erring felt it, Felt it kindly, bade her stay:All the adamant was melted, She was not quite cast away.
"Saved," she wept, "from desolation, Guilt and ruin—all that's vile:'Tis that smile is my salvation, Oh! that Christians all would smile!"