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OUR WORDS

O Sentinel at the loose-swung door of my impetuous lips,

Guard close to-day! Make sure no word unjust or cruel slips

In anger forth, by folly spurred or armed with envy's whips;

Keep clear the way to-day.

And Watchman on the cliff-scarred heights that lead from heart to mind,

When wolf-thoughts clothed in guile's soft fleece creep up, O be not blind!

But may they pass whose foreheads bear the glowing seal-word, "kind";

Bid them Godspeed, I pray.