Oh woman, if through sinful wile
Thy soul hath strayed from honor's track,
'T is mercy only can beguile,
By gentle ways, the wanderer back.
The stain that on thy virtue lies,
Washed by those tears, not long will stay;
As clouds that sully morning skies
May all be wept in showers away.

Go, go, be innocent, — and live;
The tongues of men may wound thee sore;
But Heaven in pity can forgive,
And bids thee " go, and sin no more! "