Strength of Gentleness, The · SJSU Student Experiences Before Two Major Historical Crises

The mightiest forces are not loud.
The electric fire that burns to bless
Is not the bolt that rends the cloud,
But that which flows with gentleness.

The nature that is always strong
Is loving, faithful pure, and white
Then Lassie when the world goes wrong
Be not the Lightning, but the Light!

Title: Strength of Gentleness, The
Alternative Title: The mightiest forces are not loud
Creator: George Shepard Burleigh
Bibliographic Citation: George S. Burleigh Papers, 1825-1902. John Hay Library, Brown University. Large Scrapbook 234
Date: Date tbd
Subject: Character
note: For an eight-line poem, this one takes an odd turn in the final two verses. Who is the "Lassie" referred to (was this for a children's magazine)?