Though strong emotion sweeps the heart,

Though anguish wings the brow,

Hold back the words whose cruel smart

Hurts no one worse than thou.

Pause, pause until the morrow brings

Reflection, thoughts more kind,

Then from calm reason’s crystal springs

Distill from out thy mind.

A wound received from warrior’s sword

May heal within a day,

But the wound of some light, thoughtless word

May be a wound for aye.