A man there came, whence none could tell, <br />Bearing a Touchstone in his hand; <br />And tested all things in the land <br />By its unerring spell. <br /> <br />Quick birth of transmutation smote <br />The fair to foul, the foul to fair; <br />Purple nor ermine did he spare, <br />Nor scorn the dusty coat. <br /> <br />Of heirloom jewels, prized so much, <br />Were many changed to chips and clods, <br />And even statues of the Gods <br />Crumbled beneath its touch. <br /> <br />Then angrily the people cried, <br />'The loss outweighs the profit far; <br />Our goods suffice us as they are <br />We will not have then tried.' <br /> <br />And since they could not so prevail <br />To check this unrelenting guest, <br />They seized him, saying - 'Let him test <br />How real it is, our jail!' <br /> <br />But, though they slew him with the sword, <br />And in a fire his Touchstone burn'd, <br />Its doings could not be o'erturned, <br />Its undoings restored. <br /> <br />And when to stop all future harm, <br />They strew'd its ashes on the breeze; <br />They little guess'd each grain of these <br />Convey'd the perfect charm. <br /> <br />North, south, in rings and amulets, <br />Throughout the crowded world 'tis borne; <br />Which, as a fashion long outworn, <br />In ancient mind forgets.<br /><br />William Allingham<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-touchstone/
