Beggars

Child with the hungry eyes,   The pallid mouth and brow, And the lifted, asking hands,   I am more starved than thou. I beg not on the street;   But where the sinner stands, In secret place, I beg   Of God, with outstretched hands. As thou hast asked of me, Raising thy downcast head, So have I asked of Him,   So trembling, have I plead. Take this and go thy way;   Thy hunger shall soon cease. Thou prayest but for bread,   And I, alas! for peace.