Page:Poems Cook.djvu/372

A more important "day-book" lives
Than that which worldly commerce gives,
Some brighter figures must be found
Than those which make the golden round
              Of Profit's dial.

Let us take heed that no arrears
Are due to those whose silent tears
Are calling on us night and day
For debts which mercy ought to pay;
Let us be sure that we have heard
The claims of Misery's lowly word,
And that our lips have never driven
The helpless and the spirit-riven
              With harsh denial.

Let us think how "accounts" may stand
When the "recording angel's" hand
Adds up our columns—turning then
To the "great book" not kept by men.
No yellow dust will serve to hide.
The errors made by selfish pride:
False items, though on vellum page,
Will never bear the searching gauge
              Of holy sight.

So take good caution how we let
Delusion lead us into debt;
And let Old Christmas find us willing
To pay Humanity's last shilling.
We'll pile the log and drain the cup,
But not before we reckon up
The "balance-sheet" that Conscience draws,
And God e'er keeps by his own laws
              Of Wrong and Right.

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