Poems (Schiller)/Slander
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SLANDERA Soliloguy."Malice, as well as death loves a shining mark."Fannie Fern.
"We may go through this world, but we'll go very slow
If we listen to all folks say as we go;
We'll be worried, and fretted, and kept in a stew,
For meddlesome tongues must have something to do." Old Poem.
If we listen to all folks say as we go;
We'll be worried, and fretted, and kept in a stew,
For meddlesome tongues must have something to do." Old Poem.
Egotistical heart! to so eagerly seize,
And apply to yourself such maxims as these,
To find in them strength for adversity's morn,
While you smile at the green serpent's darts in proud scorn.
And apply to yourself such maxims as these,
To find in them strength for adversity's morn,
While you smile at the green serpent's darts in proud scorn.
"A shining mark," heart! Yes, what were the use
For slander to rain her vile storms of abuse
On the low and unclean? Her work's to defame
With her subtle poison honor's bright name.
For slander to rain her vile storms of abuse
On the low and unclean? Her work's to defame
With her subtle poison honor's bright name.
If we stop, says the bard, whene'er foul breezes blow
Across our life path, we will go very slow;
Now my heart, if you'd stop for each threatening squall,
You know very well you would not go at all!
Across our life path, we will go very slow;
Now my heart, if you'd stop for each threatening squall,
You know very well you would not go at all!
"For meddlesome tongues must have something to do,"
Ah! heart, you can witness that saying true;
And what brilliant imag'nations have some folks you know,
The great poets themselves, can't surpass them, I vow—
Ah! heart, you can witness that saying true;
And what brilliant imag'nations have some folks you know,
The great poets themselves, can't surpass them, I vow—
What deep penetration! what powers of thought!
To be wasted, alas! on a circumscribed spot,
Oh, heart! if such talents you only could claim,
You would win for yourself the great garland of fame!
To be wasted, alas! on a circumscribed spot,
Oh, heart! if such talents you only could claim,
You would win for yourself the great garland of fame!
But lo! all these gifted ones set down content,
One poor mortal's vices with power to paint;
They tie in a bag, and lie at her door,
All the dark tales they brew in an inspired hour.
One poor mortal's vices with power to paint;
They tie in a bag, and lie at her door,
All the dark tales they brew in an inspired hour.
To some Satan comes as an angel of light,
Enticing his victims away from the right;
To you, heart, he came, prepared to devour,
When he knew you were pierced, in affliction's sad hour.
Enticing his victims away from the right;
To you, heart, he came, prepared to devour,
When he knew you were pierced, in affliction's sad hour.
What a generous foe! here's a conquest he thought,
But pain's fierce, white heat oft makes strong, does it not?
He was vanquished—to God give the glory and praise,
Who fashions the strength to the length of the days.
But pain's fierce, white heat oft makes strong, does it not?
He was vanquished—to God give the glory and praise,
Who fashions the strength to the length of the days.
Then let there no hatred within thy depths lurk,
Though.malice and envy have done their worst work;
Stand fast my heart! unflinchingly bear
The weight of the cross and the crown you shall wear.
October 28, 1869.
Though.malice and envy have done their worst work;
Stand fast my heart! unflinchingly bear
The weight of the cross and the crown you shall wear.
October 28, 1869.