Poems (Kennedy)/Second Samuel
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SECOND SAMUEL, 1:20
"TELL it not in Gath, nor publish it
Within the streets of Askelon;"
So spake a prophet of an olden time,
A century long dead and gone.
Within the streets of Askelon;"
So spake a prophet of an olden time,
A century long dead and gone.
When in the haunts of daily life
You pause to tell a neighbor's shame,
Or whisper softly of some doubtful deed,
Or stain with evil slur his name,
You pause to tell a neighbor's shame,
Or whisper softly of some doubtful deed,
Or stain with evil slur his name,
Have something more to justify your word
Than that old thread-bare line, "they say,"
Or "I have heard," or that vampire *'tis said"—
Those thieves that steal the truth away.
Than that old thread-bare line, "they say,"
Or "I have heard," or that vampire *'tis said"—
Those thieves that steal the truth away.
For these are subterfuges, scapegoats all,
That scandal-mongers hide behind,
And if you use them to speed on your tale
You are the scandal-monger kind.
That scandal-mongers hide behind,
And if you use them to speed on your tale
You are the scandal-monger kind.
For honest men will set their honest names
To accusations they believe;
'Tis only cowards (who may rend you next!)
Who hide from blame they should receive.
To accusations they believe;
'Tis only cowards (who may rend you next!)
Who hide from blame they should receive.
So if you dare not justify your tale,
Recall the text of centuries gone,
And tell it not in Gath, nor publish it
Within the streets of Askelon!
Recall the text of centuries gone,
And tell it not in Gath, nor publish it
Within the streets of Askelon!