Classic Poem

Smiling came she up to Zion as by path well known to her,
Known in longing dreams and visions, traced by sorrow's questing heart;
Smiling as familiar fragrance on the wind was blown to her
From the gardens of her childhood, clover-field and haying-cart;

Smiling as beneath the golden chant of stars that sang for her,
Lost, beloved voices called her by old, teasing, tender names;
But she turned her from the city, though the joy-bells rang for her,
Though the jacinth, sard and jasper beckoned her like rosy flames.

All the way she travelled knew her, blossoming its gratitude
As she sought the stellar outlands, far frontier of Paradise,
Where the meekest of earth's martyrs find a dim beatitude,
Beasts that for our human welfare paid their suffering as price.

How they flock to her caresses, how her tones are sweet to them,
How their innocency, smitten, bruised, tormented, thrown at last
To the bullring and the clinic, hears dear pity beat for them
In the heart that holds them holy for their anguish overpast!

Every wounded wilding spirit lifteth gentle gaze to her,
Saints too simple for forgiveness, only seeking leave to love;
Shot-torn birds with broken plumage carol blissful praise to her,
And God's grace descends upon her in the likeness of a dove.