The Rough Ashlar, No. I

The Rough Ashlar, No. I. [No. 21]

A stone rough from the Quarry, to which ne’er
The Mallet and the Chisel were applied,
Nor e’er by skilful Builders had been tried
For column, Frieze, or Architrave: for fear
Of base material made them choose each Stone 5
Worthy of a Mason’s labour to produce,
When dress’d with care, a portion for use
In goodly Fabrics. They would not adorn
Their temples with such workmanship as soon
Might eaten be by gnarling teeth of Time: 10
And now we gaze with wonder in each clime
At their enduring Structures. Sun and Moon
Alike show marvels when they shine upon
Those noble Structures built by Brethren long since gone.

by George Markham Tweddell  1st published 1887