Sympathy

One came to the house with a pretty speech:

“It's all for the best,” said he,

And I know that he sought my heart to reach,

And I know that he grieved with me.

But I was too full of my sorrow then

To list to his words or care;

Though I've tried I cannot recall again

The comfort he gave me there.

But another came, and his lips were dumb

As he grasped me by the hand,

And he stammered: “Old man, I had to come,

Oh, I hope you'll understand.”

And ever since then I have felt his hand

Clasped tightly in my own,

And to-day his silence I understand —

My sorrowing he had known.