THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH A moment in the British camp — A moment and away Back to the pathless forest, - Grave men there are by broad Santee, 49 William Cullen Bryant. THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH UNDER a spreading chestnut tree With large and sinewy hands; His hair is crisp, and black, and long, His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whate'er he can, And looks the whole world in the face, Week in, week out, from morn till night, You can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, Like a sexton ringing the village bell, And children coming home from school They love to see the flaming forge, And catch the burning sparks that fly He goes on Sunday to the church, He hears the parson pray and preach, He hears his daughter's voice Singing in the village choir, And it makes his heart rejoice. It sounds to him like her mother's voice Singing in Paradise! He needs must think of her once more, How in the grave she lies; And with his hard, rough hand he wipes A tear out of his Toiling, rejoicing, eyes. sorrowing, Onward through life he goes; ROBERT OF LINCOLN Each morning sees some task begin, Something attempted, something done, Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. ROBERT OF LINCOLN MERRILY Swinging on brier and weed, Robert of Lincoln is telling his name: Spink, spank, spink; Snug and safe is that nest of ours, Robert of Lincoln is gaily drest, Wearing a bright black wedding-coat; White are his shoulders and white his crest. Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, Spink, spank, spink; Look, what a nice new coat is mine, 51 Sure there was never a bird so fine. Chee, chee, chee. Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife, Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings, Passing at home a patient life, Broods in the grass while her husband sings: Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, Spink, spank, spink; Brood, kind creature; you need not fear Chee, chee, chee. Modest and shy as a nun is she; Spink, spank, spink; Never was I afraid of man; Catch me, cowardly knaves, if you can! Six white eggs on a bed of hay, There, as the mother sits all day, Robert is singing with all his might: Spink, spank, spink ; Nice good wife, that never goes out, Chee, chee, chee. ROBERT OF LINCOLN Soon as the little ones chip the shell, Spink, spank, spink; This new life is likely to be Hard for a gay young fellow like me. Robert of Lincoln at length is made Off is his holiday garment laid, Half forgotten that merry air: Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link, Spink, spank, spink; Nobody knows but my mate and I Summer wanes; the children are grown ; Spink, spank, spink; When you can pipe that merry old strain, Chee, chee, chee. 53 William Cullen Bryant. |