He found it much his jealous soul affect, To fear derision and to find neglect. The year was bad, the christening-fees were small, The weddings few, the parties paupers all: Desire of gain with fear of want combined, Raised sad commotion in his wounded mind; Wealth was in all his thoughts, his views, his dreams, And prompted base desires and baseless schemes. Alas! how often erring mortals keep The strongest watch against the foes who sleep; While the more wakeful, bold, and artful foe Is suffer'd guardless and unmark'd to go. Once in a month the sacramental bread Our Clerk with wine upon the table spread: The custom this, that as the vicar reads, He for our off'rings round the church proceeds; Tall spacious seats the wealthier people hid, And none had view of what his neighbour did: Laid on the box and mingled when they fell, Who should the worth of each oblation tell? Now as poor Jachin took the usual round, And saw the alms and heard the metal sound, He had a thought--at first it was no more Than--"these have cash and give it to the poor." A second thought from this to work began - "And can they give it to a poorer man?" Proceeding thus,--"My merit could they know; And knew my need, how freely they'd bestow; But though they know not, these remain the same, And are a strong, although a secret claim: To me, alas! the want and worth are known; Why then, in fact, 'tis but to take my own." Thought after thought pour'd in, a tempting train: - "Suppose it done,--who is it could complain? How could the poor? for they such trifles share, As add no comfort, as suppress no care; But many a pittance makes a worthy heap, - What says the law? that silence puts to sleep: - Nought then forbids, the danger could we shun, And sure the business may be safely done. "But am I earnest?--earnest? No.--I say, If such my mind, that I could plan a way; Let me reflect;--I've not allow'd me time To purse the pieces, and if dropp'd they'd chime:" Fertile is evil in the soul of man. - He paused,--said Jachin, "They may drop on bran. Why then 'tis safe and (all consider'd) just, The poor receive it,--'tis no breach of trust: The old and widows may their trifles miss, There must be evil in a good like this: But I'll be kind--the sick I'll visit twice, When now but once, and freely give advice. Yet let me think again:"--Again he tried, For stronger reasons on his passion's side, And quickly these were found, yet slowly he complied. The morning came: the common service done, Shut every door,--the solemn rite begun, - And, as the priest the sacred sayings read, The clerk went forward, trembling as he tread: O'er the tall pew he held the box, and heard The offer'd piece, rejoicing as he fear'd: Just by the pillar, as he cautious tripp'd, And turn'd the aisle, he then a portion slipp'd From the full store, and to the pocket sent, But held a moment--and then down it went. The priest read on, on walk'd the man afraid,