Classic Poem

Children of the heavenly land,
In a chorus praise your band
Him, the King of kings, who planned
Heaven's structure, him whose hand
Built his house, by whose command
Its foundations ever stand.

JASPER, with its virid hue,
Shows the counsel of the true;
Which, with virtues not a few,
Never inwardly doth fade;
At whose company arrayed
Satan turns and is dismayed.

SAPPHIRE hath the look alone
Of the blue celestial throne:
Images the hearts of those
Who in hope are simple; whose
Life correct and conduct even
Do delight the King of Heaven.

CHALCEDONY doth aspire,
In its seeming, unto fire.
First it swirls in smoky froth,
Then in lightening darteth forth:
Means the faith of those who serve
Secretly and never swerve.

EMERALD, exceeding green,
Doth present an olive sheen.
This is faith of all most deep,
Which for good doth ever keep
Open heart, and never tires
Of good works and good desires.

SARDONYX is tricolor,
Shows the man interior;
Humbleness from black grown white;
Chastity of whitest light;
Crowning all the goodly sum,
Glows the rose of martyrdom.

SARDIUS is purple red,
Like the blood of those who bled,
Glorious martyrs of the faith,
For their honour done to death.
Precious Sard is number six,
Mystery of the crucifix.

CHRYSOLITE, for goldness, doth
Sparkle like an oven's mouth;
Therefore shows the wont of men
Who are wise beyond our ken;
Wearing graces sevenfold,
Shine with them as 'twere with gold.

BERYL is a liquid gem;
Bright and pure as when a beam
Cleaveth water. This reveals
Longing of the heart which feels
That the calm of mystic rest
Is the highest, blessed best.

TOPAZ is a stone most rare,
Costlier than others are;
Gloweth with a golden sheen;
Hath a most ethereal mien;
In its contemplativeness
Means Life's serious business.

CHRYSOPRASE doth imitate
Purple stuffs of royal state.
Stained with drops like golden dew
All its purple body through,
Perfect charity doth show,
No rebuff can overthrow.

HYACINTH, as to its hue,
Is of mediocre blue.
Notably, its beauteous face
Changeth with the time and place.
Signifies angelic sense
Perfect in obedience.

AMETHYST a place is set
For its lovely violet.
Throwing out its golden flames
And its purple sparks, proclaims
Hearts of humble men despised,
Who, by faith, are dead with Christ.

These are all the precious stones;
Types of men in flesh and bones
Varied colour, varied tone,
Every virtue in its zone;
Flowering with these a man
May become a citizen.

O JERUSALEM of peace,
All thy roots are laid in these
Nigh to God and happy be
All the souls which merit thee.
And the guardian of thy towers
Never sleeps nor wane his powers.