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136 PRECIOUS STONES.
Topaz. From seas remote the yellow Topaz came ;
Found in the island of the self-same name.
Hyacinth. Midst other treasures to adorn the ring This gem from Afric's burning sands they bring.
Chrysoprase. As leaves of leek in mingled shadows blent, Or purple dark with golden stars besprent.
Amethyst. The gem, if rarer, were a precious prize ; But now, too common, it neglected lies.
Jet. Lycia her Jet in medicine commends ; But chiefest that which distant Briton sends.
Black, light, and polished, to itself it draws,
If warmed by friction, near adjacent straws.
Lodestone. The Lodestone peace to wrangling couples grants, And mutual love in wedded hearts implants.
Coral. Wondrous its power, so Zoroaster sings. And to the wearer sure protection brings.
Carnelian. Fate has with virtues great its nature graced; Tied round the neck or on the finger placed.
Carbuncle. Like to the burning coal whence comes its name ; Among the Greeks as Anthrax known to fame.
Lyncurium. Surpassing amber in its golden hue, It straws attracts, if Theophrast says true.
Aetites. This stone, they say, is found with scarlet dyed ; Hid on the margin of old ocean's tide.
Thunder-stone. From clashing clouds the wondrous gem is thrown — Hence styled in Grecian tongue the Thunder-stone.
Heliotrope. The Heliotrope, a gem that turns the sun ; From its strange power the name has justly won.
Hematite. Of red and rusty hue, in Afric found, Or in Arabia, or in Lybian ground.
Hexacontalite. True to its name, the Hexacontalite In one small orb doth sixty gems unite.
Prase. No virtue has it, but it brightly gleams With emerald green, and well the gold beseems.
Rock-Crystal. Crystal is ice through countless ages grown (So teach the wise) to hard transparent stone.
Iris. Its form six-sided, full of heaven's own light, Has justly gained the name of rainbow bright.
Pearl. Prized as an ornament, its whiteness gleams, And well the robe, and well the gold beseems.
Malachite. Opaque in hue, with th' emerald's vivid green. It charms the sight; first in Arabia seen.
Chrysoprase. By night a shining fire ; it lifeless lies Like golden ore when day illumes the skies.
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