The Silver Crown

A Winter Thought

TO MY SISTER

MAUD HOWE ELLIOTT

A WINTER THOUGHT

Hast thou e'er a grief, dear?

Lock it in thy heart!

Keep it, close it,

Sacred and apart;

Lest another, at thy sigh,

Hear his sorrow stir and cry.

Wakeful watch doth sorrow keep:

Hush it! hide it! bid it sleep!

Hast thou e'er a joy, love?

Bind it on thy brow!

Vaunt it, flaunt it,

All the world to know.

Where the shade lies dim and gray,

Turn its glad and heartsome ray.

Does thy sad-browed neighbor smile?

So thy life was worth the while!