THE BUILDER

Come and let me make thee glad

In this house that I have made!

No where ( I am unafraid! )

Canst thou find its like on Earth:

Come, and learn the perfect worth

Of the labor I have had.

I have fashioned it for thee,

Every room and pictured wall;

Every marble pillar tall,

Every door and window-place;

All were done that thy fair face

Might look kindlier on me.

Here, moreover, thou shalt find

Strange, delightful, far-brought things:

Dulcimers, whose tightened strings,

Once, dead women loved to touch;

( Deeming they could mimic much

Of the music of the wind! )

Heavy candlesticks of brass;

Chess-men carved of ivory;

Mass-books written perfectly

By some patient monk of old;

Flagons wrought of thick, red gold,

Set with gems and colored glass;

Burnished armor, once some knight

( Dead, I deem, long wars ago! )

Its great strength was glad to know

When his Lady needed him:

( Now that both his eyes are dim

Both his sword and shield are bright! )

Come, and share these things with me,

Men have died to leave to us!

We shall find life glorious

In this splendid house of love;

Come, and claim thy part thereof,—

I have fashioned it for thee!