CROWN JEWELS.
155
By dust of earth encumbered,
None prized the precious stone;
Christ looked on it, and loved it:
How fair His gem hath grown.
None prized the precious stone;
Christ looked on it, and loved it:
How fair His gem hath grown.
Here's an Onyx, love-engraven
By the Master's patient care,
Who reads the secret meaning
Of each mystic character.
By the Master's patient care,
Who reads the secret meaning
Of each mystic character.
Rough seemed the file and chisel,
Ordained by Him to bring
New beauty to His jewel,
More honour to the King.
Ordained by Him to bring
New beauty to His jewel,
More honour to the King.
I wept to see how deeply
The graver's tool must go;
But now, God, Thou knowest,
We would but have it so!
The graver's tool must go;
But now, God, Thou knowest,
We would but have it so!
Vainly we watch the seedling
To life and form expand,
So the work of the great Master
Is hidden 'neath His Hand.
To life and form expand,
So the work of the great Master
Is hidden 'neath His Hand.
Here's an Emerald from the valley,
That suffering endears,
The dearer for the darkness,
And the waiting, and the tears.
That suffering endears,
The dearer for the darkness,
And the waiting, and the tears.
