Page:Poems Rice.djvu/63

Comparisons continually
 I seem inclined to draw,
As though perfection all were mine,—
 In me no sin or flaw.

My greatest fault, my vanity
 To think such one my friend;
A strangeness, like insanity,
 The first thing I offend;
But when by look, by word, or deed
 An injury I have done,
I quickly will their pardon plead
 Until forgiveness won.

Few weave reproach with tact or skill
 Through graceful tête-à-tête;
An arrow gemmed with flowers will
 Wound deep at any rate;
You know the wound will sooner heal
 If rightly balm's applied;
Its soothing influence you feel,
 This cannot be denied.

I know there are but very few
 Who will my shafts repel;
With bitterness they don't imbue
 Before they run and tell;
Most true, they seldom hesitate
 To render back my due—
However small the debt, or great,
 Return with interest too.