I saw a man with fever wasted,
Stagger in
so weak and wan;
Stranger, though to me that mortal,
Eagerly I
listened on;
While he told of all his sickness,
How he lingered day by day,
'Twixt life and death with just one motive
To baffle
fate without delay.
I heard a land and cheerful voice
Speaking to
him words of cheer,
Wondering if that heart would soften,
As
he wiped away a tear.
Then I heard responses uttered,
Which to me seem strange indeed,
And as I thought of his past history,
Again I
heard that kind voice plead.
Gently then she bade him listen,
While she
told him of the love
Borne to poor unfortunate mortals,
From that
passport up above.
Then there came so plain an answer,
Doubting I if such could be,
That a frame so worn and shattered.
Dare to
answer such as he.
'
"God to him in years now past,
Had been so
cruel and unkind.."
But hark! again I hear a sound,
A different
tone upon the wind.
That voice still near him gently warned him
Told him
plainer than before
Of the cause and why the sorrow,
Borne by
him in days of yore.
After words of kind advisement
Loving
words of hope and cheer,
A promise gained from that inebriate
To live
aright the coming years.