XXI.—WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
1. Thy neighbor? It is he whom thou
Hast power to aid[189] and bless,
Whose aching heart, or burning brow
Thy soothing[190] hand may press.
2. Thy neighbor? ’Tis the fainting poor,
Whose eye with want is dim,
Whom hunger sends from door to door—
Go thou, and succor[191] him.
3. Thy neighbor? ’Tis that weary[192] man,
Whose years are at their brim,
Bent low with sickness, cares and pain—
Go thou, and comfort him.
4. Thy neighbor? ’Tis the heart bereft[193]
Of every earthly gem:
Widow[194] and orphan helpless left—
Go thou, and shelter them.
5. Whene’er thou meet’st a human form
Less favored[195] than thine own,
Remember ’tis thy neighbor worm,
Thy brother or thy son.
6. Oh! pass not, pass not heedless by;
Perhaps, thou canst redeem
The breaking heart from misery—
Go, share thy lot with him.
[189] Aid, help; assist.
[190] Soothˊ-ing, solacing.
[191] Sucˊ-cor, help; relieve.
[192] Weaˊ-ry, tired; fatigued.
[193] Be-reftˊ, deprived.
[194] Widˊ-ow, a woman whose husband is dead.
[195] Faˊ-vor-ed, benefitted.