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

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

Scatter plenty o'er a smiling land.

Scatter plenty o'er a smiling land.

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,
Heaven did a recompense as largely send;
He gave read more

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere,
Heaven did a recompense as largely send;
He gave to misery (all he had) a tear,
He gain'd from Heaven ('twas all he wish'd) a friend.

Shut not thy purse-strings always against painted distress.

Shut not thy purse-strings always against painted distress.

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

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

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

His house was known to all the vagrant train,
He chid their wanderings but reliev'd their pain;
read more

His house was known to all the vagrant train,
He chid their wanderings but reliev'd their pain;
The long remembered beggar was his guest,
Whose beard descending swept his aged breast.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth:
That thine read more

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy
right hand doeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in
secret himself shall reward thee openly.

He scorn'd his own, who felt another's woe.

He scorn'd his own, who felt another's woe.