Just a few words, but they blinded
The brightness all out of a day;
Just a few words, but they lifted
The shadows and cast them away.
Oh! the pain of the wounds,
Of the harden'd word's sting;
Oh! the balm and the brightness
That kind ones will bring.
Only a frown, but it dampen'd
The cheer of a dear little heart;
Only a smile, but its sweetness
Check'd tears that were ready to start.
Sullen frowns — how they chill,
Happy smiles — how they lure
One to smile, one to raise,
One to kill, one to cure.
Oh that the rules of our living
More like to the golden would be!
Much, oh! so much more of sunshine
Would go out from you and from me.
Less profession, more truth,
In our every-day life,
More justice, then surely,
Lighter hearts and less strife.
For better and kinder we all mean to be.
But there's lack in the thinking of both you and me.