To-Day

I saw a man who knelt in prayer,
And heard him say:
'I'll lay my inmost spirit bare
To-day.

'Lord, for to-morrow and its need
I do not pray;
Let me upon my neighbor feed
To-day.

'Let me my duty duly shirk
And run away
From any form or phase of work
To-day.

'From Thy commands exempted still
Let me obey
The promptings of my private will
To-day.

'Let me no word profane, no lie
Unthinking say
If anyone is standing by
To-day.

'My secret sins and vices grave
Let none betray;
The scoffer's jeers I do not crave
To-day.

'And if to-day my fortune all
Should ebb away,
Help me on other men's to fall
To-day.

'So, for to-morrow and its mite
I do not pray;
Just give me everything in sight
To-day.'

I cried: 'Amen!' He rose and ran
Like oil away.
I said: 'I've seen an honest man
To-day.'