Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/154

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
150
SONGS FROM THE SOUTHERN SEAS.

Unspoken words, like treasures in the mine,
Are valueless until we give them birth:
Like unfound gold their hidden beauties shine,
Which God has made to bless and gild the earth.
How sad 'twould be to see a master's hand
Strike glorious notes upon a voiceless lute!
But oh! what pain when, at God's own command,
A heart-string thrills with kindness, but is mute!

Then hide it not, the music of the soul.
Dear sympathy, expressed with kindly voice,
But let it like a shining river roll
To deserts dry,—to hearts that would rejoice.
Oh! let the symphony of kindly words
Sound for the poor, the friendless, and the weak;
And He will bless you,—He who struck these chords
Will strike another when in turn you seek.