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Speak Gently
David Bates
Speak gently!- It is better far
To rule by love, than fear-
Speak gently- let not harsh words mar
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 accounts 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,
'Tis 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 peach 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 then back again!
Speak gently!- 'tis a little thing
Dropped in the heart's deep well;
The good, the joy, which it may bring,
Eternity shall tell.
Available Answers
- 1.
Why is it better to rule by love?
- 2.
What is the effect of harsh words?
- 3.
Why is it important to be mild and kind in our speech towards elderly people?
- 4.
Why does the poet feel that it is imperative to show compassion towards the 'erring' through our speech?
- 5.
Choose the right options to complete these sentences.
- The poet tells his readers to speak gently to the poor because
- they have to bear with a lot of harshness and hardship.
- they have a short time to live.
- otherwise they will ask for live.
- none of the above
- The poem teaches us to
- look after elderly people.
- teach a lesson to these who make mistakes.
- be kind and mild in our speech.
- all of the above
- The poet tells his readers to speak gently to the poor because
- 6.
Affection's voice is kind.
- Explain this line.
- Which word in the poem rhymes with the word 'kind'?
6 more answer(s) available.