LIGHT-HEARTED, youthful, happy one,
Whose heart with joy seems overflowing,
Thoughtless unkindness ever shun,
But joy on all around bestowing.
In all thy speech let wisdom guide;
For thou, my thoughtless, joyous friend,
*Shalt by thy words be justified,
And by thy words shalt be condemned.*
Hold! hold! young man who takes in vain
The sacred name of thy Creator!
Canst thou his favor hope to gain,
When of his laws a violator?
A heavy doom doth thee betide,
Who hath thy Maker's name blasphemed,
*Shalt by thy words be justified,
And by thy words shalt be condemned.*
Parent, whose joy the future hath
In child of blest anticipation,
Seek'st thou to lead in virtue's path,
And save from sin and dissipation?
Weigh well thy words; in kindness chide,
Thou who his future steps may'st bend,
*Shalt by thy words be justified,
And by thy words shalt be condemned.*
Sow by all waters, and fail not
Thou who the seeds of truth art sowing!
Lift up thy voice, cry, and spare not,
Thou who the trump of truth art blowing!
Great is thy trust, truth to divide:
Thou on whom life and death depend,
*Shalt by thy words be justified,
And by thy words shalt be condemned.*
Whatever be thy name or state,
Sister or brother, parent, teacher,
Plebian be, or magistrate,
Judge, legislator, author, preacher,
Each must his future life decide,
Each on the unfailing truth depend,
*Must by his words be justified,
And by his words must be condemned.*