The Healer

They come to thee, the halt, the maimed, the blind,
    The devil-torn, the sick, the sore;
Thy heart their well of life they find,
    Thine ear their open door.

Ah, who can tell the joy in Palestine--
    What smiles and tears of rescued throngs!
Their lees of life were turned to wine,
    Their prayers to shouts and songs!

The story dear our wise men fable call,
    Give paltry facts the mighty range;
To me it seems just what should fall,
    And nothing very strange.

But were I deaf and lame and blind and sore,
    I scarce would care for cure to ask;
Another prayer should haunt thy door--
    Set thee a harder task.

If thou art Christ, see here this heart of mine,
    Torn, empty, moaning, and unblest!
Had ever heart more need of thine,
    If thine indeed hath rest?

Thy word, thy hand right soon did scare the bane
    That in their bodies death did breed;
If thou canst cure my deeper pain
    Then art thou lord indeed.