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Stand far apart from such perplex'd contention, As the bright sky from the distorted surface Of' broken waters wherein it was imaged.

And this good Scripture does, as thou believest, Contain the will of God.

I do believe it. And therein is a noble duty taught, To pardon injuries,—to pardon enemies.

I do not doubt it. 'T is an easy matter For holy sage or prophet in his cell, Who lives aloof from wrongs and injuries Which other men endure, to teach such precepts.

Most justly urged: but he who utter'd this Did not enforce it at a rate so easy. Though proved by many good and marv'llous acts To be the mission'd son of the Most High, He meekly bore the wrongs of wicked men; And in the agonies of crucifixion,— The cruel death he died,—did from his cross Look up to Heaven in earnest supplication Ev'n for the men who were inflicting on him Those shameful suff'rings,—pardon ev'n for them.