Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Who is my Neighbour?

Who Is My Neighbour?

Thy neighbour? It is he whom thou Hast power to aid and bless;Whose aching heart and burning brow Thy soothing hand may press.

Thy neighbour? 'Tis the fainting poor, Whose eye with want is dim,Whom hunger sends from door to door;— Go thou and succour him.

Thy neighbour? 'Tis that weary man, Whose years are at their brim,Bent low with sickness, care, and pain;— Go thou and succour him.

Thy neighbour? 'Tis the heart bereft Of every earthly gem;Widow and orphan, helpless left;— Go thou and shelter them.

Thy neighbour? Yonder toiling slave, Fettered in thought and limb;Whose hopes are all beyond the grave!— Go thou and ransom him.

Whene'er thou meet'st a human form Less favoured than thine own,Remember 'tis thy neighbour worm, Thy brother or thy son.

Oh, pass not, pass not heedless by; Perhaps thou canst redeemThe breaking heart from misery;— Go share thy lot with him.