Profane Words


As polished steel receives a stain

From drops at random flung, 

So does the child, when words profane

Drop from a parent's tongue. 

The rust eats in, and oft we find,

That naught which we can do 

To cleanse the metal or the mind,

The brightness will renew.


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DO WHAT YOU CAN.

THE little glow-worm by the road,

Or sparkling in the meadow, 

Does what she can to beautify

And cheer the evening shadow; 

And so may I, though small like her,

And lowly in my station, 

If but my light be pure and true,

Do good in my vocation.