  Neighbor, neighbor, prithee stay; Wherefore hasten on thy way? Give a moment's heed to me, I would ask a thing of thee. Neighbor, days and months have fled, Seasons one by one have sped, And to-night I greet thee here At the passing of the year. 'Tis the time of reckoning now, Of new resolves and annual vow; Time of straightening ugly crooks, And careful balancing of books. Pardon if I now demand How accounts of thine may stand; Hast thou rendered, fair and true, Unto every man his due? Hast thou given timely heed To thy poorer brother's need? Hath thy strong arm been a stay To the weaker on the way? When didst thou a joy impart To thy sister, sad at heart! When didst thou her grief beguile With the sunshine of thy smile? When the heavy-laden came When temptations fierce did prove Didst thou whisper of His love? When hosts of evil have assailed, And against the right prevailed, Hast thou still undaunted stood Pleading for the pure and good? When—but neighbor, this is strange! While I question comes a change: All that I have asked of thee Comes for answer back to me. Comes, against my wish and will, Comes and sets my heart a-thrill; Comes with terrors of the law, Filling me with fear and awe. Strange transition! Can it mean?— The marvel of this shifting scene— Yes, I read the mystery now. Neighbor, mine own soul art thou. Now, my soul, 'tis thine to say How the record stands to-day Give account of loss or gain, Talent used or spent in vain. All unwitting how they sped I my listed queries read; Raised the duty-standard high, While I queried came a change, Silent, solemn, passing strange;— Neighbor glided into mist, Soul and self were keeping tryst. And the queries come anew: Soul of mine, be brave and true; Lo! our books we balance now; I have questioned; answer thou. |
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