—Cervantes.
1333
MAN—THE CHILD OF MERCY.
When the Omniscient Giver of all life,
In His eternal council first conceived
The thought of man's creation, forth He call'd
Into His presence three bright ministers—
Justice, and Truth, and Mercy, that forever
Had hovered around His throne—and thus He spoke;
"Shall we make man?" Then stern Justice replied:
"Create him not, for he will trample on
Thy holy law;" and Truth, too, answering, said,
"Create him not, O God! he will pollute
Thy sanctuary!" When forth Mercy came,
And dropping on her knees, exclaimed: "O God!
Create him! I will watch his wandering steps,
And tender guide thro' all the darksome paths
That he may tread." Then forthwith God made man,
And said: "Thou art the child of Mercy; go:
In mercy with thy erring brother deal."
—Judge Crittenden, of Ky.
1334
MERCY.
Think not the good,
The gentle deeds of mercy thou hast done,
Shall die forgotten all; the poor, the prisoner,
The fatherless, the friendless, and the widow,
Who daily owe the bounty of thy hand,
Shall cry to Heaven, and pull a blessing on thee.
—Nicholas Rowe.
