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1. Encouraged by thy word,
<gap></gap>Of promise to the poor,
<gap></gap>Behold a beggar, Lord,
<gap></gap>Waits at thy mercy door,
No hand or heart, dear Lord, but thine,
Can help or pity wants like mine.

2. The beggar's usual pleas,
<gap></gap>Relief from man to gain,
<gap></gap>It <sic>offor'd</sic>  <corr>offer'd</corr> unto thee,
<gap></gap>I know thou would'st disdain.
But those which reach thy gracious ear
Are such as man would scorn to hear.

3. I have no right to say
<gap></gap>That tho' I now am poor,
<gap></gap>Yet once there was a day
<gap></gap>When I possessed more
Thou know'st I from my very birth
Have been the poorest wretch on earth.

4. Nor can I dare profess
<gap></gap>As beggars often do
<gap></gap>Tho' great is my distress,
<gap></gap>My faults have been but few
If thou should'st leave my soul to starve
It would be what I well deserve.