Beware, exulting youth, beware,
When life's young pleasures woo,
That ere you yield yon shrine your heart,
And keep your conscience true!
For sake of silver spent to-day
Why pledge to-morrow's gold?
Or in hot blood implant remorse,
To grow when blood is cold?
If wrong you do, if false you play,
In summer among the flowers,
You must atone, you must repay,
In winter among the showers.
To turn the balances of heaven
Surpasses mortal power;
For every white there is a black,
For every sweet a sour.
For every up there is a down,
For every folly shame,
And retribution follows guilt
As burning follows flame.
If wrong you do, if false you play,
In summer among the flowers,
You must atone, you must repay
In winter among the showers.
--George Macdonald.