PEBBLES AND SHELLS
THE KING AND THE BEGGAR
A beggar asked for alms beside the palace gate,
The king passed by and left him poor and desolate
But on the morn he was a king beyond the skies,
The king a beggar at the gate of Paradise.
A beggar asked for alms beside the palace gate,
The king passed by and left him poor and desolate
But on the morn he was a king beyond the skies,
The king a beggar at the gate of Paradise.
DO ANGELS CARE?
Do angels care for Shakespeare and the rest,
Have they no kindred with the human breast?
If they care not for all that man has done,
How can he care for heaven when 'tis won?
Do angels care for Shakespeare and the rest,
Have they no kindred with the human breast?
If they care not for all that man has done,
How can he care for heaven when 'tis won?
LIFE'S ALCHEMY
Into the crucible of grief a life was thrown,
Awhile the bright flames danced around the blackened bowl;
And in the melting heat the liquid metal shone,
Until the alchemist beheld a spotless soul.
Into the crucible of grief a life was thrown,
Awhile the bright flames danced around the blackened bowl;
And in the melting heat the liquid metal shone,
Until the alchemist beheld a spotless soul.
TWO RIDDLES
A little child plays at his mother's knee,
But who can say what man the child will be?
An aged pilgrim lays life's burden down
But has he failed, or shall he wear a crown?
A little child plays at his mother's knee,
But who can say what man the child will be?
An aged pilgrim lays life's burden down
But has he failed, or shall he wear a crown?
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