Nevertheless for these, my counsel is, Avoid them if thou canst; For the finer edges of thy virtues will be dulled by attrition with their vice. And there is an enemy within thee; either to palliate their sin, Until, for surface-sweetness, thou too art drawn adown the vortex; Or, even unto fatal pride, to glorify thy purity by contrast, Until the publican and harlot stand nearer heaven than the Pharisee: Or daily strife against their ill, in subtleness may irritate thy soul, And in that struggle thou shall fail, even through infirmity of goodness; Or, callous by continuance of injuries, thou wilt cease to pardon, Cease to feel, and cease to care, a cold case-hardened man. Beware of their example,--and thine own; beware the hazards of the battle; But chiefly be thou ware of this, an unforgiving spirit. Many are the dangers and temptations compassing a bad man's presence; The upas hath a poisonous shade, and who would slumber there? Wherefore, avoid them if thou canst; only, under providence and duty, If thy lot be cast with Kedar, patiently and silently live to their rebuke. How beautiful thy feet, and full of grace thy coming, O better kind companion, that art well for either world! There is an atmosphere of happiness floating round that man, Love is throned upon his heart, and light is found within his dwelling: His eyes are rayed with peacefulness, and wisdom waiteth on his tongue; Seek him out, cherish him well, walking in the halo of his influence: For he shall be fragrance to thy soul, as a garden of sweet lilies, Hedged and apart from the outer world, an island of the blest among the seas. There is an outer world, and there is an inner centre; And many varying rings concentric round the self. For, first, about a man,--after his communion with Heaven,-- Is found the helpmate even as himself, the wife of his vows and his affections: See then that ye love in faith, scorning petty jealousies, For Satan spoileth too much love, by souring it with doubts; See that intimacy die not to indifference, nor anxiety sink into moroseness, And tend ye well the mutual minds bound in a copartnership for life.