A beggar is a mirror wherein bounty shines. Dull not that mirror, then, with breath of anger’s whines! The beggar ’tis shows forth what charity achieves; A charitable man for this those wants relieves. A beggar, then, ’s a mirror of th’ Almighty’s grace; And whoso’s with the Lord, therein sees his Lord’s face. He that hath love for other than the Lord of all, Is dead at heart,--not living;--shadow on a wall! Whoe’er adopts God’s poverty, without false show, Secures the prize of God’s rich pleasure here below! 510 Who puts on sham of poverty deserves no bread. (Bones are not given to effigies of dogs. They’re dead!) His want craves pelf; ’tis not the love of God he’d seek. Lay not thy bounty at the feet of one too sleek. A landshark is a mendicant for mere pelf’s sake. He’s fish in form; but will not to the water take. Domestic fowl is he; not eagle of free air. With Lot he sips of wine; God’s water’s his despair. He loves his God, if but his God will grant him wealth; But nothing cares for God’s mere grace;--for spirit’s health. 515 Should he conceive th’ idea of love for God alone, God’s essence he’d deny, God’s attributes disown. Man’s fancy is a creature;--born with mortal lot. God was not born. His scripture says: “Nor was begot.”[317] The man in love with self, and with his fancy’s freak, Can never be a lover who to God will seek. Were fancy’s lover true, and free from crafty guile, His fancy’s tropes had led him to the truth erewhile. That _dictum_ would require a commentary, full, But fear withholds me. Prejudice will have its pull! 520 Old prejudice, quite purblind to the truth, I see, A hundred phantoms conjures up to frighten me. Not every man has heard aright the still small voice; Not every bird’s a fig-pecker, that sweets rejoice; How then a bird that’s dead,--turned putrid long ago;— A man of prejudice, all sightless, eyeless, so! A painted fish cares not for water, or for land. Soap to a blackamoor is one, or tar, in hand. Shouldst thou depict a portrait overwhelmed with grief, Would grief or joy be felt, though shown in strong relief? 525 The picture would look sorrowful;--no sorrow feel; Or smiling happiness;--without gay laughter’s peal. The joy or grief depicted by a pencil’s art, Is naught but simulated;--knows nor thrill, nor smart.