Three gates....
Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:29 pm
THREE GATES
If I am tempted to reveal
A tale, someone to me has told
About another, let it pass,
Before I speak, three gates of gold.
Three narrow gates: First, is it true?
Then, is it needful? In my mind
Give truthful answer, and the next
Is last and narrowest, Is it kind?
And if, to reach my lips at last,
It passes through these gateways, three,
Then I may tell the tale, nor fear
What the result of speech may be.
If I am tempted to reveal
A tale, someone to me has told
About another, let it pass,
Before I speak, three gates of gold.
Three narrow gates: First, is it true?
Then, is it needful? In my mind
Give truthful answer, and the next
Is last and narrowest, Is it kind?
And if, to reach my lips at last,
It passes through these gateways, three,
Then I may tell the tale, nor fear
What the result of speech may be.