Three stately forms rode down the street,
Rode down on palfreys three:
And one was Faith, and one was Hope,
And one was Charity.

And Faith, upon her blood-red steed,
Was girt with bow and spear;
And Hope her charger dark as night.
Urged on with words of cheer.

But bending o'er a snowy mane
There beamed most graciously
The saintly face and saintly smile
Of blessed Charity.

" Come ride with me, " now one and all,
They spake with one accord;
And Faith cried, " Don your panoply, "
And Hope held out reward.

But bending from her milk-white steed,
A voice came soft to me
And said, " My child, you're sick and sore;
Come ride with Charity. "

She drew me to her saddle bow
And clasped me with a smile,
And pressed unto her heart we rode
Through many a weary mile; —

Through bands of fierce and boisterous men,
With garments dashed with blood;
Through noisy streets, and angry marts,
And charges like a flood.

And Faith urged on the mighty men
Who fight with spear and bow,
And Hope the holy men who do
The joy of giving know.

But Charity stooped down to lift.
The beggar to his feet,
And in her train a weary host
Of pilgrim souls to greet.

We rode until we came unto
A gleaming jasper gate, —
There Faith flings down her battered shield,
And all expectant wait.

The gleaming gate is open swung,
And lo, an angel see,
Who sweetly calls: " Now welcome Faith,
And Hope, and Charity!

" And who are these ye bring to me
From that far world and drear? "
And Faith said: " Lo, the saints who strove
To gain an entrance here. "

And Hope with radiant smile spake out:
" Behold the godly men
Who for the rich rewards have deemed
Their fifty years as ten. "

But Charity said: " These are they
Whose lives were lone and sad;
No joy had they in striving,
And no rewards they had. "

The jasper gates were opened wide,
They entered great and small;
And Faith upon her blood-red steed
Stood guard beside the wall.

And Hope with face uplifted
Extended beckoning hand
Unto the distant pilgrims
Who sought the golden land.

But midst the throng expectant,
The milk-white steed alone
Strode through the gates of jasper
Unto the great white throne.

Then from the veil of splendor
A voice was heard to say:
" All hail thou well-beloved,
Thou hast been long away! "

When from the milk-white palfrey
The gracious rider sprung,
I saw the hands were pierced
To which I'd fondly clung.

And thus I know if Heaven's gate
Shall ope for you and me,
'Twill be through God's Incarnate Love
We name sweet Charity.