Let thy gold be cast in the furnace,
The red gold, precious and bright;
Do not fear the hungry fire,
With its caverns of burning light;

And thy gold shall return more precious,
Free from every spot and stain;
For gold must be tried by fire,
As a heart must be tried by pain!

In the cruel fire of Sorrow
Cast thy heart, do not faint or wail;
Let thy hand be firm and steady
Do not let thy spirit quail:

But wait till the trial is over
And take thy heart again;
For as gold is tried by fire,
So a heart must be tried by pain!

I shall know by the gleam and the glitter
Of the golden chain you wear,
By your heart’s calm strength in loving,
Of the fire they have had to bear.

Beat on, true heart, forever!
Shine bright, strong golden chain!
And bless the cleansing fire,
And the furnace of living pain!

Adelaide Anne Proctor

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