Zinzendorff and Other Poems/Forbearance with Frailty

by Lydia Huntley Sigourney

FORBEARANCE WITH FRAILTY.

Scorn not the sinner, though her name
    May dregs of deep abhorrence stir,
And though the kindling blush of shame
    Burns on young Virtue's cheek for her.

Judge not, unless thy lip can tell
    What wily tempters, fierce and strong
Did the unguarded soul propel
    To ruin's hidden gulf along.

The downward road, how fearful steep,
    The upward cliff, how hard to climb,
He only knows, whose records keep
    The nameless countless grades of crime.

Scorn not the sinner, thou whose heart
    In purpose pure is garner'd strong;
Claims penitence with thee no part?
    Doth pride to mortal man belong?

By all thy follies unforgiven,
    Wert thou at death's dread hour accus'd
Even thou might at the gate of heaven,
    In terror knock, and be refus'd.