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!”

1. The Little Schooner
2. Song (Take me from these dreary shades)
3. The Little Fair Soul
4. Once
5. Granmamma and the Fairies

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