Luke 15:20: With mercy's quickest eyes

With mercy's quickest eyes
His wretched son He sees,
The prodigal far off espies.
And pities his distress:
At sight of human woe
His yearning bowels move,
The Father swiftly runs to show
His warm paternal love.

A late-returning child,
His mercy's arms embrace,
His lips declare him reconciled,
His lips distilling grace;
The kiss dispels his fears.
With balmy words applied,
The self-condemning sinner hears.
And seals him justified.

Not one upbraiding word
The pardon'd sinner grieves:
In mercy rich his heavenly Lord
Forgets when He forgives:
He hears his heart's desire,
Preventing his request,
And recent from the swine and mire
Receives him to His breast.