Poems (Curwen)/Give

by Annie Isabel Curwen

For works with similar titles, see Give.

Give!

Give of thy gold what thou canst justly spare:
    The precious gold
    Thy fingers love to hold
Can feed the hungry, lift the load of care
    From hearts opprest;
    Give, and thou shalt be blest.

Give little, if thou hast not much to give;
    The smallest mite
    Is pleasing in His sight;
Without whose will nor rich nor poor can live;
    Give then thy dole,
    And God shall bless thy soul.

Give now, while life and opportunity are thine.
    Why dost thou wait?
    Surely the present need is great
Enough for thee. What says the Voice Divine?
    Give! It shall avail
    Thy soul beyond the veil.

Give cheerfully, for in the sight of heaven
    No virtue lies
    In those grudged charities
That are ungraciously and coldly given;
    A little sympathy
    Sweetens the bread of charity.

Give then, for Jesu's sake, who gave His life for thee;
    He will repay
    The debt with interest one day.
When heavens dissolve and earth's foundations flee,
    Who gives the poor,
    The Lord shall bless for evermore!