Classic Poem

Malignant Envy, come not near,
Some wretch of infamy torment.
Come not, to trouble my repose,
Thou spawn of pride and discontent.

Go, move the tempter to destroy
Some world of innocence again.
Go, and another Abel find,
To perish by another Cain.

Or some hard-hearted brethren mould,
A Joseph's favourite life to sell,
Or some delicious vineyard eye,
And in a second Ahab dwell.

Yea, could the Son of God again
Appear in servile form below;
Inflame malevolence, once more
To strike the crucifying blow.

Not blackest night and brightest noon
Are with each other more at strife,
O Jesus, than the envious mind
Is with thy Gospel and thy life.

May I too humble be for pride,
Too self-contented to repine:
And too benevolent, to wish
My neighbour's blessings less than mine.