Charity To Man Poem by William Drennan

Oh, sweeter than the sweetest flower,
At ev'ning's dewy close,
The will, united with the power
To succour human woes!

And softer than the softest strain
Of music to the ear,
The placid joy we give and gain,
By gratitude sincere.

The husbandman goes forth a-field,
What hopes his heart expand!
What calm delight his labours yield!
A harvest - from his hand!

A hand that providently throws,
Nor dissipates in vain:
How neat his field! how clean it grows!
What produce from each grain!

The nobler husbandry of mind,
And culture of the heart,
Shall this, with men, less favour find,
Less genuine joy impart?

Oh, no - your goodness strikes a root
That dies not, nor decays;
And future life shall yield the fruit,
Which blossoms now in praise.

The youthful hopes that now expand
Their green and tender leaves,
Shall spread a plenty o'er the land,
In rich and yellow sheaves.

Thus, a small bounty, well bestow'd,
May perfect Heaven's high plan;
First daughter to the love of God
Is charity to man.