Forgiveness (Whittier)

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h2> FORGIVENESS. </h2> <p> My heart was heavy, for its trust had been<br/> Abused, its kindness answered with foul wrong;<br/> So, turning gloomily from my fellow-men,<br/> One summer Sabbath day I strolled among<br/> The green mounds of the village burial-place;<br/> Where, pondering how all human love and hate<br/> Find one sad level; and how, soon or late,<br/> Wronged and wrongdoer, each with meekened face,<br/> And cold hands folded over a still heart,<br/> Pass the green threshold of our common grave,<br/> Whither all footsteps tend, whence none depart,<br/> Awed for myself, and pitying my race,<br/> Our common sorrow, like a nighty wave,<br/> Swept all my pride away, and trembling I forgave!<br/> <br/> 1846.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />