NAY, SPEAK NO ILL by Charles Swain

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Oct 24, 1854

NAY, SPEAK NO ILL.

By Charles Swain

NAY, speak no ill; a kindly word Can never leave a sting behind; And oh! to breath each tale we've heard Is far beneath a noble mind. Full oft a better seed is sown By choosing thus a kinder plan; For if but little good be known, Still let us speak the best we can.

Then speak no ill, but lenient be To others' failings as your own; If you're the first the fault to see, Be not the first to make it known. For life is but a passing day, No lip may tell how brief its span; Then oh! the little time we stay, Let's speak of all the best we can.

[Charles Swain.