Page:Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell (Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë, 1846).djvu/115

Rh But, is it sweet to look around, and view

Thousands excluded from that happiness

Which they deserved, at least, as much as you,—

Their faults not greater, nor their virtues less?

And, wherefore should you love your God the more,

Because to you alone his smiles are given;

Because he chose to pass the many o'er,

And only bring the favoured few to Heaven?

And, wherefore should your hearts more grateful prove,

Because for the Saviour did not die?

Is yours the God of justice and of love?

And are your bosoms warm with charity?

Say, does your heart expand to all mankind?

And, would you ever to your neighbour do—

The weak, the strong, the enlightened, and the blind—

As you would have your neighbour do to you?

And, when you, looking on your fellow-men,

Behold them doomed to endless misery,

How can you talk of joy and rapture then?—

May God withhold such cruel joy from me!

That none deserve eternal bliss I know;

Unmerited the grace in mercy given: