Touch Not, Nor Taste

1 Say, who hath sorrow, contentious and woe?
They where the wine-cup is flowing, who go.
Look not upon it, a serpent its head,
Hides in the glow of the glittering red.

Refrain:
Touch not, nor taste, touch not, nor taste;
Oh, from the adder that stingeth you, haste!
Tarry nor stay, tarry nor stay,
There when a serpent but hides to betray.

2 Say, who is spirit are wounded, in pain?
They who go seeking the wine-cup again;
Tarrying long till the sparkle is past,
Lo, it shall sting like an adder at last. [Refrain]

3 Say, who is stricken until he must be
Like as one toss'd in the midst of the sea?
They who are beaten and sickened and sore,
They who have fallen the wine-cup before. [Refrain]

4 What shall we tell them, oh, what can we say?
How can we turn them from sinning away.
Lovingly give them the brotherly hand,
Tenderly helping the fallen to stand. [Refrain]

Source: Light and Life: a collection of new hymns and tunes for sunday schools, prayer meetings, praise meetings and revival meetings #150