Judge Not.
1 O, who shall say he knows the folds
Which veil another's inmost heart,--
The hopes, thoughts, wishes, which it holds,
In which he never bore a part?
That hidden world no eye can see,--
O, who shall pierce its mystery?
2 There may be hope as pure, as bright,
As ever sought eternity,--
There may be light,--clear, heavenly light,
Where all seems cold and dark to thee;
And when thy spirit mourns the dust,
There may be trust,--delightful trust.
3 Go, bend to God, and leave to Him
The mystery of thy brother's heart,
Nor vainly think his faith is dim,
Because in thine it hath no part;
He, too, is mortal,--and, like thee,
Would soar to immortality.
4 And if in duty's hallowed sphere,
Like Christ, he meekly, humbly bends,--
With hands unstained, and conscience clear,
With life's temptations still contends,--
O, leave him that unbroken rest,
The peace that shrines a virtuous breast!
5 But if his thoughts and hopes should err,
Still view him with a gentle eye,--
Remembering doubt, and change, and fear,
Are woven in man's destiny;
And when the clouds are passed away,
That truth shall dawn with brightening day.