Poetry

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 320, 13 November 1860, Page 4

Poetry

THE THREE GOLDEN SIEVES.

Old Gammar Gruffel was a nice old fashion'd sort of lady, She'd always some kind pleasant word for every body ready; And when she gave her friends advice, 'twas in a way so clever, They could but take it patiently, and love her more than ever; She used (.0 say in her odd way, that what we said of others, Should first go through three golden sifting brothees. Now these same golden sieves of hers perhaps you'd like to handle: They're three short questions you must ask, before you gossip scandal; First, is it true ? for if 'tis not, of course the matter ceases; Then, is it kind? and would you like to be thus pulled to pieces'? Then, is it needful ? last of all, if it has passed the others: Now what d'ye think of Gammer Gruffel, and her three sifting brothers? I'll tell you what I think myself, I like her honest teaching, And shouldn't mind how much we had of just her sort of preaching; For if we listed such advice, 'twould save a deal of railing, And give time for better themea than other people's failings. So aunts and uncles, cousins dear, come sisters, wives or mothers, Let's go to Gammer Gruffel's shop, and buy three sifting brothers. Literary Cahintt.