Classic Poem

The road is left, that once was trod
By man and heavy-laden beast;
And new ways opened iron-shod,
That bind the land from west to east.

I asked of Him, who all things knows,
Why none who lived now passed that way;
Where rose the dust, the grass now grows?
A still, low voice was heard to say:

" Thou know'st not why I change the course
Of him who travels, learn to go; —
Obey the spirit's gentle force,
Nor ask thee, where the stream may flow. "

" Man shall not walk in his own ways,
For he is blind and cannot see;
But let him trust, and lengthened days
Shall lead his feet to heaven and Me. "

" Then shall the grass the path grow o'er,
That his own willfulness has trod;
Nor man nor beast shall pass it more,
But he shall walk with Me, his God. "