A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

A faded flower, a bud of beauty blasted,

A broken lute, a precious diamond shattered,

A stream of purest water, early wasted,

A priceless essence on the desert scattered,

Like these thou hast perished, in thy beauty mild.

To which shall we compare thee, lovely child?

If to the faded flower, we know its fruit

Is garner’d up midst Heaven’s holy treasures;

If to the lovely-toned, but broken lute,

Its echo mingleth now, in heavenly measures;