Perplext he stood, then set himself to wait,
Till Patient Waiting should discern the Gate.

And one who had had riches beyond most,
And yet subserved them to his Master's good,
Came searching for the heavenly gates, and stood
Amazed to find no opening in the walls.
"I gave of all I had," he cried, "and held
Nought as my own,--yet entrance is denied."
And from the City wall the clear voice cried,--
"_Come! Enter in! The Gate is open wide_."
He stood perplext, then set himself to wait
Till Charity should point him to the Gate.

And many more there were who entrance craved,
And sought the Great White Gates, and stood perplext.
And ever, from within, the clear voice cried,--
"_Come! Enter in! The Gate is open wide_."
They sought in vain, and set themselves to wait
Till Light was given them to discern the Gate.

And then--a child in white came carolling
Along the arduous road we all had trod.
He stopped and looked, then laughed with childish glee,--
"_Why wait ye here without? Come, follow me_!"--
And passed, scarce bending, through the lowly door,--
We heard his singing,--him we saw no more.

The woman stooped and looked, with eyes that shone,
Into the doorway where the child had gone;