Your Space

UNIT 3

Poem

Your Space

Speak gently! – It is better far

To rule by love, than fear

Speak gently – let not harsh words mar

The good we might do here!

Speak gently! – Love doth whisper low

The vows that true hearts bind;

And gently Friendship’s accents flow;

Affection’s voice is kind.

Speak gently to the little child!

Its love be sure to gain;

Teach it in accents soft and mild:-

It may not long remain.

Speak gently to the young, for they

Will have enough to bear –

Pass through this life as best they may,

‘T is full of anxious care!

Speak gently to the aged one,

Grieve not the care-worn heart;

The sands of life are nearly run,

Let such in peace depart!

Speak gently, kindly, to the poor;

Let no harsh tone be heard;

They have enough they must endure,

Without an unkind word!

Speak gently to the erring – know,

They may have toiled in vain;

Perchance unkindness made them so;

Oh, win them back again!

Speak gently! – He who gave his life

To bend man’s stubborn will,

When elements were in fierce strife,

Said to them, ‘Peace, be still.’

Speak gently! – ’tis a little thing

Dropped in the heart’s deep well;

The good, the joy, which it may bring,

Eternity shall tell

                                                                           David Bates

GLOSSARY

1. harsh: rough

2. doth: does

3. whisper: low voice

4. accents: emphasise

5. anxious: feeling worried or showing worry

6. grieve: be sorrowful

7. depart: leave/go

8. endure: suffer patiently

9. toiled: worked hard

10. vain: producing no results

11. stubborn: one refusing to change one’s opinion

12. strife: disagreement

13. eternity: without end