Thus Might I know

I would bathe my spirit in the days of men.
I would come naked before sorrow.
I would kneel beside the sorrowing
With my heart-bare,
That I might share their sorrow.
I would let mine eyes weep with men;
I would drink the salt of sorrow's wine,
That its bitterness might purge my soul.
Oh, I would be a companion
Of all the spirit's joys and ills,
Thereby I might know the souls of men.