The man who takes, and doth not give,
Hath stol'n what he receives:
The man who gives, and doth not take,
Is wasting what he gives.

Life hath two rascals: Take-for-nought
Turns Labour's loaf to stone;
While Give-for-nought, with Labour's groat,
Bribes idlers, viler none:
He bribes the lord, he bribes the squire.
He bribes their palac'd priest,
He bribes corruption's dam and sire,
And cooks their age-long feast.
What! sow ye sloth, and fatten vice.
That pomp may trade in pain?
If Good-for-good is blessed twice,
So give, that Good may gain:
Not only help the sinless woe,
That fainteth at your door;
But say to them who curses sow,
“Resoul your unsoul'd poor.”
Then,—what ye give shall be repaid
With good, ten-thousand fold;
For Knowledge is the stone that turns
Earth's living dross to gold.