NOT charity we ask, br Nor yet thy gift refuse; br Please thy light fancy with the easy task br Only to look and choose. br br The little-heeded toy br That wins thy treasured gold br May be the dearest memory, holiest joy, br Of coming years untold. br br Heaven rains on every heart, br But there its showers divide, br The drops of mercy choosing, as they part, br The dark or glowing side. br br One kindly deed may turn br The fountain of thy soul br To love’s sweet day-star, that shall o’er thee burn br Long as its currents roll. br br The pleasures thou hast planned,—­ br Where shall their memory be br When the white angel with the freezing hand br Shall sit and watch by thee? br br Living, thou dost not live, br If mercy’s spring run dry; br What Heaven has lent thee wilt thou freely give, br Dying, thou shalt not die. br br HE promised even so! br To thee his lips repeat,—­ br Behold, the tears that soothed thy sister’s woe br Have washed thy Master’s feet! br br March 20, 1859.