DISTRUST.

Distrust that man who tells you to distrust:

He takes the measure of his own small soul,

And thinks the world no larger. He who prates

Of human nature’ s baseness and deceit

Looks in the mirror of his heart, and sees

His kind therein reflected. Or perchance

The honeyed wine of life was turned to gall

By sorrow’ s hand, which brimmed his cup with tears,

And made all things seem bitter to his taste.

Give him compassion! But be not afraid

Of nectared Love, or Friendship’ s strengthening draught,

Nor think a poison underlies their sweets.

Look through true eyes — you will discover truth:

Suspect suspicion, and doubt only doubt.