For My Sake.

INASMUCH as ye gave ear unto the sighing
Of the least of these the children of my care, —
Of your love from death redeemed them, or in dying
Stood between them and the shadow of despair; —
"Inasmuch as when the little ones did languish,
Ye put forth the hand to make their burdens light; —
Inasmuch as when they lay on beds of anguish,
Ye were with them in the watches of the night; —
"All the joy ye brought to light when sorrow hid it
Now awaits you, an exceeding great reward.
As ye did it unto these, to ME ye did it;
Enter ye into the joy of your Lord."
"Lord, when sought we out the children that did languish?
When put forth the hand to make their burdens light?
Lord, we wist not when they lay on beds of anguish,
And we slept throughout the watches of the night.
"For our lives were full of trouble and of labour,
And the night followed hard upon the day:
Had we lingered with the children of our neighbour,
Our own little ones had perished by the way."
"Inasmuch as though ye might not touch or tend them,
Ye were with them in your love, to heal and save, —
And were hands and feet to those who did befriend them,
By the gold and by the silver that ye gave, —
"Find your treasure where your ransomed ones have hid it;
Take it back a thousandfold for your reward.
As you did it unto these, to ME ye did it;
Enter ye into the joy of your Lord."