George MacDonald

The Gospel Women. 8. The Widow with the Two Mites

  Here much and little shift and change,
      With scale of need and time;
  There more and less have meanings strange,
      Which the world cannot rime.

  Sickness may be more hale than health,
      And service kingdom high;
  Yea, poverty be bounty's wealth,
      To give like God thereby.

  Bring forth your riches; let them go,
      Nor mourn the lost control;
  For if ye hoard them, surely so
      Their rust will reach your soul.

  Cast in your coins, for God delights
      When from wide hands they fall;
  But here is one who brings two mites,
      And thus gives more than all.

  I think she did not hear the praise--
      Went home content with need;
  Walked in her old poor generous ways,
      Nor knew her heavenly meed.