When hearts are full of yearning tenderness, 
For the loved absent, whom we can not reach -- 
By deed or token, gesture or kind speech, 
The spirit's true affection to express; 
When hearts are full of innermost distress, 
And we are doomed to stand inactive by, 
Watching the soul's or body's agony, 
Which human effort helps not to make less -- 
Then like a cup capacious to contain 
The overflowings of the heart, is prayer: 
The longing of the souls is satisfied, 
The keenest darts of anguish blunted are; 
And, though we can not cease to yearn or grieve, 
Yet we have learned in patience to abide.