The Transformation

or

THE TOOL AND THE GEM.

Dedicated to the Students of the Nauvoo University; under the tuition of

Elder O. Pratt.

BY MISS E. R. SNOW,

I saw a thing of rudest form, Its lustre [luster] kindled to a blaze-

From mountains' base brought forth- 'Twas Wisdom's lamp begun,

A useless gem-devoid of charm, And soon the splendor [splendor] of its rays

And wrap'd in cumbrous earth. Eclips'd the noon-day sun.

Its rough exterior met the eye That gem was chain'd in crudeness, till

With a repulsive show; The Scalptor [Sculptor], lent his aid;

For every charm, was forc'd to lie I wonder'd at the ready skill,

In buried depths [depths], below. His potent hand display'd

The Sculptor came,-I wonder'd, when But 'twas the virtue of his tool

His pliant tool was brought; Of fine, transforming edge;

He pass'd it o'er the gem, and then Which serv'd for pencil, mould [mold] and rule-

I mark'd the change it wrought. For polisher and sledge.

Each cumbrance from its surface, clear'd- That tool requires a skilful [skillful] hand-

The gem, expose'd to view- That gem, no charm should bind;

Its nature and its worth appear'd- That tool is Education, and

Its form expansive grew. That gem, the Human Mind.

By gentle strokes, it was set free-

By softer touch, refin'd;

Till beauty, grace and majesty,

Were with its nature join'd.