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