WHEN I’ve partaken of your bread and wine,
And paused awhile beneath your friendly roof,
Good thoughts and honest purposes are mine,
Awhile from trivial things I stand aloof.
It is a sacrament of friendship there,
When I’ve partaken of your bread and wine;
I feel in touch with all things sweet and fair;
My pilgrimage is to a true home’s shrine.
Like the lost Arab, when his host will bring
The bit of cake, the salt in friendly sign,
When I’ve partaken of your bread and wine
Across my desert rose and lotus spring,
And in my heart there is a genial glow.
To-night above me starry heavens shine,
Yet out of clouds the brightest stars will grow
When I’ve partaken of your bread and wine.