As Islam's Prophet, when his last day drew <br />Nigh to its close, besought all men to say <br />Whom he had wronged, to whom he then should pay <br />A debt forgotten, or for pardon sue, <br />And, through the silence of his weeping friends, <br />A strange voice cried: 'Thou owest me a debt,' <br />'Allah be praised!' he answered. 'Even yet <br />He gives me power to make to thee amends. <br />O friend! I thank thee for thy timely word.' <br />So runs the tale. Its lesson all may heed, <br />For all have sinned in thought, or word, or deed, <br />Or, like the Prophet, through neglect have erred. <br />All need forgiveness, all have debts to pay <br />Ere the night cometh, while it still is day.<br /><br />John Greenleaf Whittier<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/requital/
