<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=391826" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>Signing the Pledge</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">Do you see this cup­, this tempting cup­,<br>Its sparkle and its glow?<br>I tell you this cup has brought to me<br>A world of shame and woe.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Do you see that woman sad and wan?<br>One day with joy and pride,<br>With orange blossoms in her hair,<br>I claimed her as my bride.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">And vowed that I would faithful prove<br>Till death our lives should part;<br>I've drenched her soul with floods of grief,<br>And almost crushed her heart.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Do you see that gray­p;haired mother bend<br>Beneath her weight of years?<br>I've filled that aged mother's eyes<br>With many bitter tears.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Year after year for me she prays,<br>And tries her child to save;<br>I've almost brought her gray hairs down<br>In sorrow to the grave.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Do you see that boy whose wistful eyes<br>Are gazing on my face?<br>I've overshadowed his young life<br>With sorrow and disgrace.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">He used to greet me with a smile,<br>His heart was light and glad;<br>I've seen him tremble at my voice,<br>I've made that heart so sad.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Do you see this pledge I've signed to­-night?<br>My mother, wife, and boy<br>Shall read my purpose on that pledge<br>And smile through tears of joy.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">To know this night, this very night,<br>I cast the wine­p;cup down,<br>And from the dust of a sinful life<br>Lift up my manhood's crown.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The faded face of my young wife<br>With roses yet shall bloom,<br>And joy shall light my mother's eyes<br>On the margin of the tomb.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I have vowed to­p;night my only boy,<br>With brow so fair and mile,<br>Shall not be taunted on the streets,<br>And called a drunkard's child.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Never again shall that young face<br>Whiten with grief and dread,<br>Because I've madly staggered home<br>And sold for drink his bread.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">This strong right arm unnerved by rum<br>Shall battle with my fate;<br>And peace and comfort crown the home<br>By drink made desolate.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Like a drowning man, tempest­p;tossed,<br>Clings to a rocky ledge,<br>With trembling hands I've learned to grasp<br>The gospel and the pledge.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">A captive bounding from my chain,<br>I've rent each hateful band,<br>And by the help of grace divine<br>A victor hope to stand.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Frances+Ellen+Watkins+Harper">Frances Ellen Watkins Harper</a><div class=q> <img src="https://www.citatepedia.ro/g/32share.png" style="float:left" alt="Share"> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=391826" data-title="Signing the Pledge de Frances Ellen Watkins Harper" data-description="Do you see this cup­, this tempting cup­, Its sparkle and its glow? I tell you this cup has brought to me A world of shame and woe. Do you see that woman sad and wan? One day with joy and pride, With orange blossoms in her hair, I claimed her a..."></div> </div> </div>

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