It never was our guise
To slight the poor, or aught humane despise.

It never was our guise
To slight the poor, or aught humane despise.

Scatter plenty o'er a smiling land.

Scatter plenty o'er a smiling land.

Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence, of this
virtue.

Gifts and alms are the expressions, not the essence, of this
virtue.

Help thi kynne, Crist bit (biddeth), for ther bygynneth charitie.

Help thi kynne, Crist bit (biddeth), for ther bygynneth charitie.

In every sorrowing soul I pour'd delight,
And poverty stood smiling in my sight.

In every sorrowing soul I pour'd delight,
And poverty stood smiling in my sight.

He is one of those wise philanthropists who, in a time of famine,
would vote for nothing but a read more

He is one of those wise philanthropists who, in a time of famine,
would vote for nothing but a supply of toothpicks.

Shut not thy purse-strings always against painted distress.

Shut not thy purse-strings always against painted distress.

To pity distress it but human; to relieve it is Godlike.

To pity distress it but human; to relieve it is Godlike.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.