Forest leaves :: :: University of Virginia Library

My ornaments! My ornaments!
My precious diamond chain!
How gaily it has clasp'd my neck,
And on my bosom lain;
It was my joy, it was my pride,
My never wearying care,
To guard and keep my diamond chain
For ever pure, and fair.

For this I toil'd, for this I pray'd,
For this I fear'd and wept,
For this I kept my weary watch,
While all around me slept.
In every storm I clasp'd the chain
Still closer to my heart,
And felt that from the smallest gem
I could not bear to part.

Where is it now? My diamond chain!
Alas, the mournful day,
In which death wrench'd the clasps in twain,
And bore one gem away.
Years glided, and the priceless things
Departed, one by one,
As love, or death, alternate claim'd
The brightest, as their own.

No earthly power, no worldly wealth,
My treasures can restore,
I miss their warmth, I miss their light;—
Oh, I am lone, and poor!
Alas that aught should ever break
So bright and dear a chain,
Which once dissever'd, never can
On earth be join'd again.

Oh! never more in links of love
Around me shall it twine;
Oh, keep th' imperishable things
Eternal Father, thine.
Oh, hear; for the Redeemer's sake
A lonely mourner's prayer,
And when thou mak'st thy jewels up,
May all my gems be there.