Classic Poem

The cold eternal silence of the skies,
The hungry roaring of the insensate sea —
What healing medicine can they bring to me,
What help or comfort to the soul that cries
For love and pity? And you, the great and wise,
Who weave your cunning web of end and cause,
How will your flinty code and iron laws
Profit the hungry heart that faints and dies
For bread, not stones? — O soft and gentle voice!
O words that thrill across the waste of years!
O tender eyes that sorrow and rejoice!
Tender with human smiles and human tears,
All wise, almighty, Power without end,
Maker and lawgiver — Thou art the Friend.