Читать книгу A Book of Christian Sonnets - william Allen - Страница 27

23. CONTROVERSY. (notes)

I've struck the milk-white quartz with gentle blow,

And split with hammer fragment from the rock,

When lo, unquarried by the shiv'ring shock,

The precious Em'rald's crystal beauties glow!

Thus from the mine of thought, obscure and low,

Does force of argument the gem unlock,

Whose charms the beams of star-born diamond mock;—

That gem is Truth—the truth, which angels know!

Delve patient; make the stubborn barriers fly;

Though long the toil, let hope assuage thy care;

Each blow the glad and glist'ning beams may wake.

With zeal contend; the inquisition ply;

Yet in debate this needful caution bear—

Be gentle, or the crystal thou mayst break!