Diamond Poems

Table of Contents

1. A Diamond

   by William Henry Venable

   Upon the breast of senseless earth
   This precious sparkling stone,
   A jewel of Golconda's worth,
   In sovran beauty shone.
   

   My lady for a moment bore
   The gem upon her brow,
   A moment on her bosom wore:—
   'Tis worth the Orient now.
   

2. Diamonds

   by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

   The tears of fallen women turned to ice
   By man's cold pity for repentant vice.
   

3. O Diamond, Beautiful and Rare

   by Paul Eldridge

   
   

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    Full Text

   O diamond, beautiful and rare,
   Shining on my lady fair,
   As a mimic sun on earth,
   How canst thou know what gave thee birth—
   The eyes blinded for thy sheen,
   The whetted hearts to make thee keen,
   Virgins' loves to build thee white,
   Children's laughs to lend delight,—
   Within thy tiny measured span,
   Lies a hecatomb of man!
   

   O diamond, beautiful and rare,
   Shining on my lady fair,
   Couldst thou but know what gave thee life,
   The blood, the agony, the strife,
   Thou wouldst in utter pain and shame,
   Burn thy heart within thy flame,
   And fall black ashes on the floor,
   Avenger of the countless poor!
   

4. Earthly Pride<

   by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

   How baseless is the mightiest earthly pride,
   The diamond is but charcoal purified,
   The lordliest pearl that decks a monarch's breast
   Is but an insect's sepulchre at best.
   

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