Pebbles

Out of a pellucid brook

Pebbles round and smooth I took :

Like a jewel, every one

Caught a color from the sun, —

Ruby red and sapphire blue,

Emerald and onyx too,

Diamond and amethyst, —

Not a precious stone I missed :

Gems I held from every land

In the hollow of my hand.

Workman Water these had made ;

Patiently through sun and shade,

With the ripples of the rill

He had polished them until,

Smooth, symmetrical and bright,

Each one sparkling in the light

Showed within its burning heart

All the lapidary’s art ;

And the brook seemed thus to sing :

Patience conquers everything !