E. C. B.

Before the grass grew over me,

I knew one good man through and through,

And knew a soul and body joined

Are stronger than the heavens are blue.

A wisdom worthy of thy joy,

O great heart, read I as I ran;

Now, though men smite me on the face,

I cannot curse the face of man.

I loved the man I saw yestreen

Hanged with his babe's blood on his palms.

I loved the man I saw to-day

Who knocked not when he came with alms.

Hush!— for thy sake I even faced

The knowledge that is worse than hell;

And loved the man I saw but now

Hanging head downwards in the well.