Poem Song-Song of the Axe /Classical Religious Music /Canada Heritage, Classic, Literature, Vintage

SONG OF THE AXE.
ISABELLA VALANCEY CRAWFORD.
High grew the snow beneath the low-hung sky,
And all was silent in the wilderness;
In trance of stillness Nature heard her God
Rebuilding her spent fires, and veil'd her face
While the Great Worker brooded o'er His work.
“Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree,
What doth thy bold voice promise me?”
“I promise thee all joyous things,
That furnish forth the lives of kings!”
“For ev’ry silver ringing blow
Cities and palaces shall grow!”
“Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree,
Tell wider prophecies to me.”
“When rust hath gnaw'd me deep and red,
A nation strong shall lift his head!
“His crown the very Heav'ns shall smite,
Aeons shall build him in his might!”
“Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree;
Bright Seer, help on thy prophecy!”
Max smote the snow weigh’d tree, and lightly laugh'd.
“See, friend”, he cried to one that look'd and smil’d,
“My axe and I-we do immortal tasks-
We build up nations-this my axe and I!”