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Robert Browning - The Twins
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``Give`` and ``It-shall-be-given-unto-you.``

	I.

Grand rough old Martin Luther
  Bloomed fables—-flowers on furze,
The better the uncouther:
  Do roses stick like burrs?

	II.

A beggar asked an alms
  One day at an abbey-door,
Said Luther; but, seized with qualms,
  The abbot replied, ``We`re poor!

	III.

``Poor, who had plenty once,
  ``When gifts fell thick as rain:
``But they give us nought, for the nonce,
  ``And how should we give again?``

	IV.

Then the beggar, ``See your sins!
  ``Of old, unless I err,
``Ye had brothers for inmates, twins,
  ``Date and Dabitur.

	V.

``While Date was in good case
  ``Dabitur flourished too:
``For Dabitur`s lenten face
  ``No wonder if Date rue.

	VI.

``Would ye retrieve the one?
  ``Try and make plump the other!
``When Date`s penance is done,
  ``Dabitur helps his brother.

	VII.

``Only, beware relapse!``
  The Abbot hung his head.
This beggar might be perhaps
  An angel, Luther said.
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