Poems (Edwards)/"The Small Sweet Courtesies of Life"
"THE SMALL SWEET COURTESIES OF LIFE."
Some gems there are most beautiful, Most rich and pleasant to behold,They are not corals, diamonds, pearls, Nor rubies yet, and yet not gold;They fling a sunshine round our hearths, They soothe like balm each troubled strife,They gild with joy our homes, they are "The small sweet courtesies of life."
Our earth would be a lonely place, A sad abode without these gems,More precious to our hearts they are Than glittering gold or diadems;Without their rays divine and pure, Our path with bitterness is rife,Earth would be drear and dark without "The small sweet courtesies of life."
Rich boons they are to mortals given, Bright blossoms on our pathway laid,Sweet flowers whose fragrance will not die, Whose glorious colour will not fade;They are the joy of young and old, Of brother, sister, husband, wife,The father's pride, the mother's bliss, "The small sweet courtesies of life."
If thou wouldst have a happy home, A cheerful house and hearthstone bright,Keep, keep those jewels in thy heart, Day after day, and night by night;If thou wouldst banish from thy door, All bitterness, and gloom, and strife,I charge thee to remember well, "The small sweet courtesies of life."