ENVY.

When Satan sends — to vex the mind of man

And urge him on to meanness and to wrong —

His satellites, there is not one that can

Acquit itself like envy. Not so strong

As lust, so quick as fear, so big as hate —

A pigmy thing, the twin of sordid greed —

Its work all noble things to underrate,

Decry fair face, fair form, fair thought, fair deed,

A sneer it has for what is highest, best,

For love's soft voice, and virtue's robe of white;

Truth is not true, and pity is not kind,

A great task done is but a pastime light.

Tormented and tormenting is the mind

That grants to envy room to make its nest.