THE IMPATIENT STONE by Aldis Dunbar

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Nov 14, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 44.

THE IMPATIENT STONE.

By Aldis Dunbar

[Aldis Dunbar, in Harper's Magazine.]

I WAS a stone beneath a Sculptor's hand That lay and muttered in my discontent: "Yea, worn am I. No beauty hast Thou lent My surface—naught of splendor where I stand. My quarry-brothers, Lord, at Thy command Receive great honor—carven ornament— Rich traceries. Good Master, was I sent For uses dull? for no brave glory planned?" Then He: "O eager stone—that can not wait My hour in patience—heed thou in what wise From blocks of shapeless marble I create All works divine. Thy brothers from such guise Grow into noble outlines, day by day Not as I give, but as I rive away!"