Yes, all is ordered well. Aimless may seem The wandering foot; even it commissioned treads The very lines by Providence laid down, Sure though unseen, of all-converging good. Look up, old man, and see:-- Along the road Came one in sailor's garb: his shallow hat, Of glazed and polished leather, shone like tin. A fair young damsel led him by the hand-- For he was blind: and to the summer sun, Fearless and free, he held his bronzed face. An armless sleeve, pinned to his manly breast, Told he had been among the "Hearts of Oak." The damsel saw the old man of the tree, His queue of character, and wooden leg, And smiling whispered to the tar she led. Near turned, both stood. Down from her shoulder then The maid unslung a mandolin, and played, High singing as she played, a battle-piece Of bursts and pauses: keeping time the while, Now furious fast, now dying slow away, His pigtail wagging with emotion deep, The Old Soldier puffed his sympathetic pipe. The minstrel ceased; he drew his leathern purse, With pension lined, and offered guerdon due. "Nay," said the maiden, smiling, "for your tye Alone I played, and for your wooden leg; Yea, but for these, the symbols of the things You've done and suffered--like my father here." "Well, then, you'll taste my honey and my bread?" The Soldier said, and from his cot he brought Seats for the strangers; him the damsel helped, Bearing the bread and honey; and they ate, The damsel serving, and she ate in turn. When various talk had closed the simple feast, The strangers rose to go: "My head! my head!" The sailor cried, and fell in sudden pangs. They bore and laid him on the Soldier's bed. Forth ran the lass, and from the neighbouring town Brought the physician; but his skill was vain, For God had touched him, and the man must die. His mind was clear: "Give me that cross, my child, That I may kiss it ere my spirit part," He said. And from her breast the damsel drew A little cross, peculiar shaped and wrought, And gave it him. It caught the Soldier's eye And when the girl received it back, he took And looked at it.