Magdalen

by Thomas Moore

Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more!
St. John, viii. 11.

Oh woman! if by simple wile
Thy soul has stray'd from honour's track,
'Tis mercy only can beguile,
By gentle ways, the wanderer back.

The stain that on thy virtue lies,
Wash'd by thy tears may yet decay;
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!