Broken

I.

Broken! It's only a ring--a plain, old ring, Worn down to a thread almost-- Fling it away--the useless thing! What value now can it boast?-- Fling it away! Yet stay!--oh stay Ere you cast it away! There's a tale of the vanished years That ever will cling, To that broken ring, That hallows and endears-- Oh stay! In vain!--in vain!--What matters it now That tenderest memories cling To that thread of gold so wasted and old-- Who cares for a broken ring?-- Fling it away!

II.

Broken! It's only a vase--an old, stone vase-- Ancient and out of style-- That has stood for years in the chimney place, Provoking many a smile-- Throw it away! Yet stay!--that vase Held honored place In the sight of prince and peer And the flowers it held Were gathered of old By the lovely and the dear!-- Oh stay! In vain!--In vain!--What matters it now How honored was once its place! It is broken, and old, and the hearts are cold That cherished the old stone vase-- Throw it away!

III.

Broken! It's only a promise--as light as air-- Though earnestly, solemnly given, Made to be broken--yet who should care?-- Do you think it was heard in Heaven?-- Break it to day! Yet stay!--that breath Is a blast of death To an innocent human heart! Unsay the word, For God has heard! And He taketh the wronged one's part--- Break it not to-day! In vain!--in vain!--What matters it now? It was only a breath--no more! A faithless promise--a traitor's vow-- Such things have happened before-- It's broken to-day!

IV.

Broken! It's only a heart--a human heart-- That has throbbed for years and years, With the burning pain and the cruel smart Whose agony knows no tears-- Cast it away' Yet stay!--oh stay! A father, grey And sorrowful, prayed for her long And a mother's love Bore to God above The tale of her poor childs wrong!-- Cast it not away! In vain!--'Tis a story old and worn-- This story of falsehood's art-- Of the harsh world's withering blight and scorn,-- Who cares for the broken heart That's been cast away?