THE THIEF
THOU shalt not steal."
Was it to you
God spake this stern decree?
Nay, curl not so your scornful lip,
As though that could not be.
Was it to you
God spake this stern decree?
Nay, curl not so your scornful lip,
As though that could not be.
For he spake not alone to those
Whose fingers snatch away
The gem or coin or treasure rare—
Those street-bred birds of prey.
Whose fingers snatch away
The gem or coin or treasure rare—
Those street-bred birds of prey.
But if with idle, venomed word
You soil your neighbor's name,
Orrobhimofajoyoflife,
Or cast an unjust blame—
You soil your neighbor's name,
Orrobhimofajoyoflife,
Or cast an unjust blame—
And further still, if so you take
From your own soul its truth
Or lower the standard of your creed,
You are a thief in sooth.
From your own soul its truth
Or lower the standard of your creed,
You are a thief in sooth.
It was to you and all your kind
Who bear the slander seal
That God, in his omnipotence,
Hath said:
"Thou shalt not steal."
Who bear the slander seal
That God, in his omnipotence,
Hath said:
"Thou shalt not steal."
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