The Miser stood in hell—Alone!

For all had found some saving grace

That set them free to seek God's face

And could their vilest sins atone.

He cowered low in abject fear,

No single virtue could he plead,

Satan's own—by self decreed!

When sudden! 'neath a dastard deed,

The devil cried, "What lieth here?"

It was a single love-shed tear

Shed in an hour of direst need.[Pg 27]

[Pg 27]

Once he had wept in grief and pain,

Once—when his child lay coldly dead,

Once he had prayed. No prayer is vain.

This prayer had lived to save again

And bring remission on his head.

Only a tear! The Heavenly Choir

Praised the Lord for the thing call'd love;

But Satan shrieked in frenzied ire,

 Prev. P 17/76 next