———
THE INQUIRY
I wonder if ever a song was sung but the singer's heart sang sweeter!
I wonder if ever a rhyme was rung but the thought surpassed the meter!
I wonder if ever a sculptor wrought till the cold stone echoed his ardent thought!
Or if ever the painter with light and shade the dream of his inmost heart portrayed!
I wonder if ever a rose was found and there might not be a fairer!
Or if ever a glittering gem was ground and we dreamed not of a rarer!
Ah! never on earth do we find the best; but it waits for us in the land of rest,
And a perfect thing we shall never behold till we pass the portals of shining gold.