XXIV
“Then do good deeds while in the flesh, my friend
And trespassers forgive, lest you forget
Such charity, till you have reached the end
Of life with some one unforgiven yet.
XXV
“Take heed that you will e’er remember this,
Lest you, as others did so oft before,
May cross that cold and ever dark abyss
Which separates earth from the spirit shore.
XXVI
“Which lieth far beyond the farthest sun,
And trembling stand before high Heaven’s court
With unforgiven thought and task undone;
No camouflage to which you can resort.
XXVII
“Be ye a man of lore, unlearned or youth,
Will there, as here on earth, avail you aught;
Nor will forensic speech conceal the truth
In your account of deed and word and thought.