A poor wayfaring man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That i could never answer nay:
I had not power to ask his name,
Whither he went or whence he came;
Yet there was something in his eye
That won my love, i know not why.
Once when my scanty meal was spread,
He entered; not a word he spake;
Just perishing for want of bread;
I gave him all: he blessed it, brake;
And ate, but gave me part again;
Mine was an angel's portion then,
For while i fed with eager haste,
The crust was manna to my taste.
I spied him where a fountain burst
Clear from the rock; - his strength was gone;
The heedless water mocked his thirst,
He heard it, saw it, hurrying on:
I ran and raised the sufferer up,
Thrice from the stream he drained my cup,
Dipped and returned it running o'er;
I drank, and never thirsted more.
'twas night, the floods were out, it blew
A winter hurricane aloof;
I heard his voice abroad, and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof:
I warmed, i clothed, i cheered my guest,
I laid him on my couch to rest,
Then made the earth my bed, and seemed
In eden's garden while i dreamed.
Stript, wounded beaten, nigh to death,
I found him by the highway side;
I roused his pulse, brought back his breath,
Revived his spirit, and supplied
Wine, oil, refreshment; he was healed;
I had, myself, a wound concealed,
But from that hour forgot the smart,
And peace bound up my broken heart.
In prison i saw him next, - condemned
To meet a traitor's doom at morn;
The tide of lying tongues i stemmed,
And honoured him mid'st shame and scorn:
My friendship's utmost zeal to try,
He asked - if i for him would die;
The flesh was weak, my blood ran chill,
But the free spirit cried, "i will."
Then in a moment to my view,
The stranger started from disguise;
The tokens in his hands i knew,
My saviour stood before mine eyes;
He spake - and my poor name he named. -
"of me thou hast not been ashamed.
"these deeds shall thy memorial be;
"fear not, thou didst them unto me."
