Classic Poem

MEEKNESS , ally'd
To soft Humility,
The foot of Pride
Will never tread on thee.

Patient of wrong,
To wrong canst thou incline?
Gentleness of tongue,
And manners mild are thine.

Iron is the breast
Thy sweetness cannot charm;
By fiends possest,
The man who works thy harm.

Obdurate steel
Is liquefy'd by flame:
Malice will feel,
By thee, relenting shame.

Envy will chain
Her snakes; and scandal's spite,
Blushing, refrain
Thy harmless name to bite.

Cheerful thy days,
In sweet abode of peace;
Crown'd with all praise,
Thy bliss shall never cease.