A WARNING

There was a flame, oh! such a tiny flame -

One fleeting hour had spanned its birth and death,

But for a silly child with playful breath

Who fanned it into fury. It became

A mighty conflagration. Ah, the cost!

House, home, and thoughtless child alike were lost.

Lady beware. Fan not the harmless glow

Of admiration into ardent love,

Lean not with red curled smiling lips above

The flickering spark of sinless flame, and blow,

Lest in the sudden waking of desire

Thou, like the child, shalt perish in the fire.