Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LET SOMETHING GOOD BE SAID, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LET SOMETHING GOOD BE SAID, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When over the fair fame of
Last Line: Let something good be said!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Religion; Theology


WHEN over the fair fame of friend or foe
The shadow of disgrace shall fall, instead
Of words of blame, or proof of thus and so,
Let something good be said.

Forget not that no fellow-being yet
May fall so low but love may lift his head:
Even the cheek of shame with tears is wet,
If something good be said.

No generous heart may vainly turn aside
In ways of sympathy; no soul so dead
But may awaken strong and glorified,
If something good be said.

And so I charge ye, by the thorny crown,
And by the cross on which the Saviour bled,
And by your own soul's hope of fair renown,
Let something good be said!





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