"ASTRAY.”

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 260, 19 February 1917, Page 14

"ASTRAY.”

There was a man, it was said, one time, Who went astray in his youthful ' * prime; Can the brain keep cool, and the heart keep quiet, When the blood is a river that is running riot? And boys will be boys, the old folks say, And a man is better who’s had his The sinner reformed, and the preacher told, Of the prodigal son who came back to the fold; r >1 And Christian people threw open' the door, With a warmer welcome than ever before. Wealth and honour were his command, And a spotless woman gave him her hand. And the world strewed their pathway with flowers and bloom, Crying, “God bless lady” and “God bless groom.” There was a maiden who went astray, In the golden dawn of her life’s young day. She had more passion and heart than head, And she followed blindly where fond love led, And love unchecked is a dangerous guide To wander at will by a fair girl’s side. The woman repented, and turned from sin, But no door opened to let her in; The preacher prayed that she might be forgiven, And told her to look for a place in Heaven. For this is the law of the earth, we know, That the woman is stoned while the man may go. A brave man wedded her after all, But the world said, frowning: “We shall not call.” —Ella Wheeler Wilcox.