CHARITY.
A VERSIFICATION OF PART OF THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER OF FIRST CORINTHIANS.
Through I were gifted with an angel's tongue,
And voice like that with which the prophets sung,
Yet if mild charity were not within,
"Twere all an impious mockery and sin.
And voice like that with which the prophets sung,
Yet if mild charity were not within,
"Twere all an impious mockery and sin.
Though I the gift of prophecy possessed,
And faith like that which Abraham professed,
They all were like a tinkling cymbal's sound,
If meek-eyed charity did not abound.
And faith like that which Abraham professed,
They all were like a tinkling cymbal's sound,
If meek-eyed charity did not abound.
Though I to feed the poor my goods bestow,
And to the flames my body I should throw,
Yet the vain act would never cover sin
If heaven-born charity were not within.
And to the flames my body I should throw,
Yet the vain act would never cover sin
If heaven-born charity were not within.
1820.
