If thou canst dive, bring up pearls. If thou canst not dive, collect amber. Though I fail to identify Paradisiacal "bdellium," I still may hope to search out beauties of the "onyx stone."<br><br>A dear saint - I speak under correction of the Judgment of the Great Day, yet think not then to have my word corrected - this dear person once pointed out to me Patience as our lesson in the Book of Revelations.<br><br>Following the clue thus afforded me, I seek and hope to find Patience in this Book of awful import. Patience, at the least: and along with that grace whatever treasures beside God may vouchsafe me. Bearing meanwhile in mind how "to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin."<br><br>Now if any deign to seek Patience in my company, I pray them to remember that One high above me in the Kingdom of Heaven heads our pilgrim caravan.<br><br>O, ye who love to-day,<br>Turn away<br>From Patience with her silver ray:<br>For Patience shows a twilight face,<br>Like a half-lighted moon<br>When daylight dies apace.<br><br>But ye who love to-morrow,<br>Beg or borrow<br>To-day some bitterness of sorrow:<br>For Patience shows a lustrous face<br>In depth of night her noon;<br>Then to her sun gives place.