What might paul laurence dunbar mean in the following lines from his poem "we wear the mask"?

we smile, but, o great christ, our cries
to thee from tortured souls arise.

What Paul Laurence Dunba means in the following lines from his poem, "We wear the Mask" in lines "We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries To thee from tortured souls arise." is the following.
Although they keep similes on their faces they pray everyday that their struggles may end and that the internal suffering they endure will as well.

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The last one is right