Page:Songs from the Southern Seas and Other Poems (1873).djvu/154

150 Unspoken words, like treasures in the mine,
 * Are valueless until we give them birth:

Like unfound gold their hidden beauties shine,
 * Which God has made to bless and gild the earth.

How sad 'twould be to see a master's hand
 * Strike glorious notes upon a voiceless lute!

But oh! what pain when, at God's own command,
 * A heart-string thrills with kindness, but is mute!

Then hide it not, the music of the soul.
 * Dear sympathy, expressed with kindly voice,

But let it like a shining river roll
 * To deserts dry,—to hearts that would rejoice.

Oh! let the symphony of kindly words
 * Sound for the poor, the friendless, and the weak;

And He will bless you,—He who struck these chords
 * Will strike another when in turn you seek.