Gifts.
A flawless pearl, snatched from an ocean cave,Remote from light or air,
And by the mad caress of stormy wave
Made but more pure and fair;
A diamond, wrested from earth's hidden zone,
To whose recesses deep
It clung, and bravely flashed a light that shone
Where dusky shadows creep;
A sapphire, in whose heart the tender rays
Of summer skies had met;
A ruby, glowing with the ardent blaze
Of suns that never set,-- [47]
These priceless jewels shone, one happy day,
On my bewildered sight:
“We bring from earth, sea, sky,” they seemed to say,
“Love's richness and delight.”
“For me?” I trembling cried. “Thou need'st not dread,”
Sang heavenly voices sweet;
And unseen hands placed on my lowly head
This crown; for angels meet.
M. T. H.
