Stanza 1
The prophets sons, in time of old,
Though to appearance poor;
Were rich without possessing gold,
And honored, though obscure.
Stanza 2
In peace their daily bread they eat,
By honest labor earned;
While daily at Elisha's feet,
They grace and wisdom learned.
Stanza 3
The prophet's presence cheered their toil,
They watched the words he spoke;
Whether they turned the furrowed soil,
Or felled the spreading oak.
Stanza 4
Once as they listened to his theme,
Their conference was stopped;
For one beneath the yielding stream,
A borrowed axe had dropped.
Stanza 5
"Alas! it was not mine, he said,
How shall I make it good?"
Elisha heard, and when he prayed,
The iron swam like wood.
Stanza 6
If God, in such a small affair,
A miracle performs;
It shows his condescending care
Of poor unworthy worms.
Stanza 7
Though kings and nations in his view
Are but as motes and dust;
His eye and ear are fixed on you,
Who in his mercy trust.
Stanza 8
Not one concern of ours is small,
If we belong to him;
To teach us this, the LORD of all,
Once made the iron swim.