Day after day I lay beside the gate
called Beautiful, where I asked alms of men
who came to pray.
Now, I was lame from birth;
and kindly friends, who daily laid me there,
would question why I chose the temple gate
and not the wayside or the market place,
where I would surely reap much richer gain.
But I had deeper need, for secretly
I prayed to walk with other worshipers
into the house of God, to hear His Word.
So seeking light, I chose the temple gate
(where I could catch the strains of holy prayer),
resolved to trust and wait, while listening.
One day two men of whom I asked a coin
looked tenderly at me through searching eyes.
And one called Peter spake and bade me look
at him and John: I looked expectantly.
Then moved by Spirit, Peter spake again,
revealing unto me the perfect gift.
For he had nought of worldly wealth to share,
"But such as I have give I thee," he said;
"in the name of Jesus Christ ... rise up and walk."
And instantly I leaped for joy and walked
with them into the temple, praising God.
"Such as I have"! O precious gift of grace,
outshining endlessly the gold of men.
