To My Son

Son, let me tell you this very secret
To forbear and as well keep it.

That all you know you must not reveal,
To chide any who is untutored in how you feel.
Even when you are chided, still be mild
And make not barren what is in your mind.

Also with fools meddle not,
For where you are indeed meek
They may look and mark as fault
To belittle in you that which they seek.

Though you need to know your worth before men
Still, from them you need to learn
When to be fair
And upon whom to test your fear.