Classic Poem

VERSES WRITTEN DURING THE SEVERITY OF THE WINTER .

Ah, cold and piercing is the air,
The blasts of Winter blow,
The streams are bound with icy chains,
The plains are clad in snow.

The rich and great can view, at ease,
The horrors of the storm;
With them unceasing plenty reigns,
And ev'ry season's warm.

But little know, and little think
Those, in their wealth secure,
The want and hardships, that await
The dwellings of the poor.

Their daily labour now no more
Affords them daily bread,
And ill they're shelter'd from the storm,
Beneath their humble shed.

The food their little children ask,
The parents can't supply;
The wretch, subdu'd by want and cold,
Now lays him down to die.

Bless'd be the prince, whose bounty bids
The naked poor be clad,
Those chill'd with piercing cold, be warm'd,
Those faint with hunger fed!

Happy are they, to fortune's gifts
Who add a gen'rous breast,
And, while they pity, can relieve
The wants of the distrest.

Want to supply, and pain to ease,
Were pow'r and riches giv'n;
Who uses them for ends like these,
Obeys and copies heav'n.

From blessings, to ourselves confin'd,
We small delight can know;
They best enjoy, with lib'ral mind
On others who bestow.

Nor shall the friends of human woe
Escape our God's regard;
That mercy they to others show,
His mercy will reward.