And learn of the lowly and meek to lessen your thoughtless pride.
I have seen my Lady flash by—a beauteous vision of ease;
I have seen the widow at work till the shadows of night fled the day;
I have seen God's poor drink the cup of sorrow and toil to the lees;
I have seen the wicked get wealth, and the good go empty away.
"The poor are unworthy, and sinning is found in the homes of the low.
If we give we but pander to vice: the beggars our gifts will abuse."
So say you, and pass in your pride, but your heart cries out as you go,
"The vile are the first to ape virtue; the wicked the first to accuse!"
Communist? Not I! But I hold that the miser who hugs to his heart