Page:Poems Dorr.djvu/434

How does God send the Comforter?
 Ofttimes through byways dim;
Not always by the beaten path
 Of sacrament and hymn;
Not always through the gates of prayer,
 Or penitential psalm,
Or sacred rite, or holy day,
 Or incense, breathing balm.

How does God send the Comforter?
 Perchance through faith intense;
Perchance through humblest avenues
 Of sight, or sound, or sense.
Haply in childhood's laughing voice
 Shall breathe the voice divine,
And tender hands of earthly love
 Pour for thee heavenly wine!

How will God send the Comforter?
 Thou knowest not, nor I!
His ways are countless as the stars
 His hand hath hung on high.
His roses bring their fragrant balm,
 His twilight hush its peace,
Morning its splendor, night its calm,
 To give thy pain surcease!