Thoughts on the Commandments

“love your neighbor as yourself,”—   So the parson preaches: That ’s one half the Decalogue,—   So the prayer-book teaches. Half my duty I can do   With but little labor, For with all my heart and soul   I do love my neighbor. Mighty little credit, that,   To my self-denial; Not to love her, though, might be   Something of a trial. Why, the rosy light, that peeps   Through the glass above her, Lingers round her lips,—you see   E’en the sunbeams love her. So to make my merit more,   I ’ll go beyond the letter:— Love my neighbor as myself?   Yes, and ten times better. For she ’s sweeter than the breath   Of the Spring, that passes Through the fragrant, budding woods,   O’er the meadow-grasses. And I ’ve preached the word I know,   For it was my duty To convert the stubborn heart   Of the little beauty. Once again success has crowned   Missionary labor, For her sweet eyes own that she   Also loves her neighbor.