Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHARITY, by ELIZABETH H. WHITTIER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHARITY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The pilgrim and stranger, who, through the day
Last Line: "and merciful one, for thee I wait!"
Subject(s): Charity; Philanthropy


THE pilgrim and stranger who through the day
Holds over the desert his trackless way,
Where the terrible sands no shade have known,
No sound of life save his camel's moan,
Hears, at last, through the mercy of Allah to all,
From his tent-door at evening the Bedouin's call:
"Whoever thou art whose need is great,
In the name of God, the Compassionate
And Merciful One, for thee I wait!"

For gifts in His name of food and rest
The tents of Islam of God are blest;
Thou who hast faith in the Christ above,
Shall the Koran teach thee the Law of Love? --
O Christian! open thy heart and door,
Cry east and west to the wandering poor:
"Whoever thou art whose need is great,
In the name of Christ, the Compassionate
And Merciful One, for thee I wait!"





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