Poems (Edwards)/Be Pleasant

BE PLEASANT.

Be pleasant in thy household,
Be pleasant at thy hearth,
A home where dwells affection
Is the brightest place on earth;
Be pleasant when thou feelest
The world's ungentle touch,
A smile will cost thee nothing,
A frown may cost thee much.

Be pleasant to thy mother,
Her heart is sad and sore,
She has enough of sorrow,
Why should'st thou give her more?
She has lived through years of sadness,
And on her withered brow
Is the foot-print of affliction,
Be pleasant to her now.

Be pleasant to thy father,
He is old, and weak, and pale,
His life is now as tedious
"As a twice repeated tale;"
The pleasantness of childhood
Would make his bosom thrill
With a joy too deep for language;
Be pleasant to him still.

Be pleasant to thy brother,
Though erring he may be,
One word of admonition,
One pleasant smile from thee,
May win him back to virtue,
And happiness and joy;
Be pleasant, if thou would'st not
His happiness destroy.

Be pleasant to thy sister,
Her spirit may not twine
Around the many objects
Where firmly twineth thine;
Her heart may differ from thee,
She loves thee fondly yet,
Be pleasant, O! be pleasant,
If thou would'st not feel regret.

Be pleasant 'mid thy trials,
Though dark and strong they be,
Thy Saviour never murmured,
He suffered more than thee;
Be pleasant in thy household,
Be pleasant at thy hearth,
A home where dwells affection
Is a Heaven itself on earth.