A king of ancient day once fell asleep,
And in his dream was told that 'neath a steep
Of towering earth there was a wondrous stone,
More rare indeed than king had ever known.
And if this hidden gem so rich in wealth
He fain would find, that go he must in stealth
And dig deep down with all his might and main.
Else peradventure he might dig in vain.
So great the promise should he win this prize,
That, dressed in miner's garb, and in disguise,
He toiled by night, and then he toiled by day,
Through crevice damp, through gravel beds and clay;
With sinewy zeal, as oft we do in sleep,
So toiled the king beneath this mountain steep.
At last his strength was waning; pale and grim
He faced the mighty odds that hindered him.
"What seekest thou, good sir?" A voice of cheer
Gave proof that in the gloom a friend was near.
The kingly arm was stayed; in mute surprise
He turned about. Before his wondering eyes
A Christly being stood in raiment white,
And round him seemed a circling sheen of light.
"What seekest thou,—a gem of priceless worth?
Thy toiling is in vain, O child of earth.
Refrain, I pray thee, from thy toil refrain!
No earthly gem can give thee lasting gain.
No mortal eye hath found in glittering ore
One trace of heaven's delight; and what is more,
Had ye a faith, a childlike faith indeed,
Yea, like unto a grain of mustard-seed,
Ere speeds the night, ere comes the morning dawn,
Ye could command this mountain to be gone!"
