 | Songs and ballads by Samuel Lover |  |
THE PEARL DIVER.
Oh! wherefore, diver, tempt the wave,
Why rashly dare the sea?
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave other gifts to thee!
Where is the pearl of ocean found?—
'Tis in an humble shell:
Oh! pride of heart, what lessons deep
The pearl to thee may tell.
Then wherefore, diver, tempt the wave,
Why rashly dare the sea?
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave other gifts to thee.
Why rashly dare the sea?
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave other gifts to thee!
Where is the pearl of ocean found?—
'Tis in an humble shell:
Oh! pride of heart, what lessons deep
The pearl to thee may tell.
Then wherefore, diver, tempt the wave,
Why rashly dare the sea?
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave other gifts to thee.
“I seek the pearl,” the diver said,
“To deck the young bride's brow,
While flow'rs still bloom around her path,
While love still breathes his vow.”
Oh, diver, can those pearls forbid
That brow with care to ache?
Give me the pearl of sweet content
That peace of heart can make!
Oh! wherefore, diver, tempt the wave
Why rashly dare the sea?
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave other gifts to thee.
“To deck the young bride's brow,
While flow'rs still bloom around her path,
While love still breathes his vow.”
Oh, diver, can those pearls forbid
That brow with care to ache?
Give me the pearl of sweet content
That peace of heart can make!
Oh! wherefore, diver, tempt the wave
Why rashly dare the sea?
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave other gifts to thee.
141
“I seek the pearl,” the diver said,
“To gem the banquet bowl,
The bowl that's crown'd with ruby wine
And pledg'd in flow of soul!”
Oh, prize not thus that gorgeous bowl,
Tho' pearls may grace its brink—
The plainest cup more precious is
That gives the weary drink.
Then, diver, tempt not thus the wave,
Nor dare the dang'rous sea,
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave better gifts to thee!
“To gem the banquet bowl,
The bowl that's crown'd with ruby wine
And pledg'd in flow of soul!”
Oh, prize not thus that gorgeous bowl,
Tho' pearls may grace its brink—
The plainest cup more precious is
That gives the weary drink.
Then, diver, tempt not thus the wave,
Nor dare the dang'rous sea,
The Hand that pearls to ocean gave,
Gave better gifts to thee!
| Songs and ballads by Samuel Lover | |