The Gavel

The Gavel. [No. 28]

Nimbly the Gavel in each Ghiblim’s hand
Smote off Excrescences from every Stone,
Before it left the Quarry; so that none
Might reach Moriah’s Mount but what would stand
Where the Menatzchim had them wisely plann’d. 5
Let Conscience to us as a Gavel be,
To keep down all degrading Thoughts, that we
May bear to have our Actions duly scann’d
By the All-Seeing Eye: so that the call
From Labour here on Earth, to Rest in Heaven, 10
May be to us in truest mercy given;
And when the Shadow of Death’s Valley fall
Upon our mortal Eyes like darkest Night,
A Voice unto our Souls may say, “Let there be Light!”

by George Markham Tweddell  1st published 1887