Poems (Procter)/A Warning
For works with similar titles, see A Warning.
A WARNING.
LACE your hands in mine, dear, With their rose-leaf touch:If you heed my warning, It will spare you much.Ah! with just such smiling Unbelieving eyes,Years ago I heard it:— You shall be more wise.
You have one great treasure, Joy for all your life;Do not let it perish In one reckless strife
Do not venture all, child, In one frail, weak heart;So, through any shipwreck, You may save a part.
Where your soul is tempted Most to trust your fate,There, with double caution, Linger, fear, and wait.
Measure all you give, still Counting what you take;Love for love: so placing Each an equal stake.
Treasure love; though ready Still to live without.In your fondest trust, keep Just one thread of doubt.
Build on no to-morrow; Love has but to-day:If the links seem slackening, Cut the bond away.
Trust no prayer nor promise; Words are grains of sand:To keep your heart unbroken, Hold it in your hand.
That your love may finish Calm as it begun,Learn this lesson better, Dear, than I have done.
Years hence, perhaps, this warning You shall give again,In just the self-same words, dear, And—just as much—in vain.