Menella Bute Smedley (Менелла Бьют Смедли)
A Discovery
The languid world went by me as I found A jewel on the ground, Under a silent weed, A nameless glory set for none to heed. “Stoop, see, and wonder!” was my joyful cry, But still the languid world went only by. I drew it forth, and set it on a hill; They passed it still. Some turned to look, And said it was a pebble from the brook, A dewdrop, only made to melt away, A worthless mirror, with a borrowed ray. Then on my knees I shouted forth its praise, For nights and days. “See with your eyes A diamond shining only for the wise! How is it that ye love not at first sight This unfamiliar treasure of pure light?” I set it on my breast. Then, with a sneer, The world drew near. They knew the sign And secret of my praise; the thing was mine. They left it to me with a bland disdain, And hugged their tinsel to their hearts again. I showed it to the dearest soul I had: “You are not mad; Let them go by; We know it is a diamond, you and I.” Coldly he answered, “If you love it so, You need not me to praise it. Let me go.” “It is my sin,” I cried with bitter tears, “That no man hears. I'll fling it down; Some nobler hand shall set it in a crown. I shall behold it honoured ere I die; But no one could have loved it more than I!”
Menella Bute Smedley’s other poems:
- Wooden Legs
- A Meeting
- The Story of Queen Isabel
- The Little White Doe
- An Anniversary (On the seventh of September, two little years gone by)
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