MY CREED by ALICE CARY

I HOLD that Christian grace abounds
Where charity is seen; that when
We climb to heaven, 't is on the rounds
Of love to men.

I hold all else, named piety,
A selfish scheme, a vain pretence;
Where centre is not -- can there be Circumference?

This I moreover hold, and dare
Affirm where'er my rhyme may go, --
Whatever things be sweet or fair,
Love makes them so.

Whether it be the lullabies
That charm to rest the nursling bird,
Or the sweet confidence of sighs
And blushes, made without a word,

Whether the dazzling and the flush
Of softly sumptuous garden bowers
Or by some cabin door, a bush
Of ragged flowers.

'T is not the wide phylactery,
Nor stubhorn fast, nor stated prayers,
That make us saints: we judge the tree
By what it bears.

And when a man can live apart
From works, on theologic trust,
I know the blood about his heart
Is dry as dust.

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