The Axe by Isabella Valancey Crawford. Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. 1895. A Victorian Anthology, 1837-1895

Verse > Anthologies > Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. > A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895

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Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

The Axe

Isabella Valancey Crawford (b. c.1857–87)

“For every silver ringing blow, “Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree! “When rust hath gnawed me deep and red, “His crown the very Heavens shall smite, “Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree;


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 veiled her face
While the Great Worker brooded o’er His work.	5

“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!


10
Cities and palaces shall grow!”



Tell wider prophecies to me.”



A nation strong shall lift his head.	15



Æons shall build him in his might!”



Bright Seer, help on thy prophecy!”

Max smote the snow-weighed tree, and lightly laughed.	20
“See, friend,” he cried to one that looked and smiled,
“My axe and I—we do immortal tasks—
We build up nations—this my axe and I!”

CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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