The Old Road

The road is left that once was trod
By man and heavy-laden beast;
And new ways opened, iron-shod,
That bind the land from west to east.

I asked of Him who all things knows
Why none who lived now passed that way:
Where rose the dust the grass now grows ?
A still, low voice was heard to say, —

"Thou knowest not why I change the course
Of him who travels : learn to go,
Obey the Spirit's gentle force.
Nor ask thou where the stream may flow.

" Man shall not walk in his own ways,
For he is blind and cannot see;
But let him trust, and lengthened days
Shall lead his feet to heaven and Me.

" Then shall the grass the path grow o'er,
That his own wilfulness has trod;
And man nor beast shall pass it more,
But he shall walk with Me, his God."