I stumbled once upon a desert road,
Weary, discouraged, sick, and racked with pain;
The way was long, and heavy was my load,
I prayed to find true rest, and peace to gain,
When, at my side, there spoke a gentle voice:
Ho, thou that thirsteth, come and follow me
Unto the heavenly waters and rejoice,
For they are poured for thee eternally;
Why spend your strength for that which is not bread,
And strive for that which cannot satisfy?
I hearkened to the angel, and I saw
The fountain whence the healing waters fall.
I lifted up my eyes, bescaled before,
To know that sense is naught and Love is all.
So thus my soul did live, and did delight
Itself in fatness, spiritual, complete,
Finding a joy erstwhile unknown; a light
Divine, whose rays can never more retreat.
