W. Garrett Horder, comp. The Poets’ Bible: New Testament. 1895.

The Widow with the Two Mites

George MacDonald (1824–1905)

HERE much and little shift and change,

With scale of need and time;

There more and less have meanings strange,

Nor with our reason rhyme.

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 yet gives more than all.

She heard not, she, the mighty praise

Went home to care and need:

Perhaps the knowledge still delays,

And yet she has the meed.