Synopsis

A deadly friend, a honeyed foe, Aye ! two such have I known, Two ; and they wrought my childhood woe That turned its flower to stone. Well nigh I curse them now : — not them, The worms are long forgiven ; — And yet their vileness oft did hem My erring soul from heaven. One lives with flushed conceited brow ; One begs beyond the sea : — Forgive, oh God ! forgive them now, The wrongs they did to me !