The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-29
A Song of Labor.

IA kOOl4SS vi A1SN00~'
Clnkl Clank! Clink! Clank!
Fall the hammers one bv one;
Cliak! Clanki Clinkl Clank!
Till the busy day is done.
Yet the hammers clank and chnk,
AS they forge the glowing link,
As thought is wrought amain,
In the workshop of the brain.
Lo! before my wandering eyes,
A vision of faces, grave and wise,
Who are these who silent, stand
With looks prophetic and serene;
Majestieal of mold and mien
Like monarchs of the landl
These are ancient artisans,
Full of mighty schemes and plans;
At their head swart Tubal Cain,
Strong of arm and strong of brain,
And down the line little space,
Dunstan on his anvil leaning,
From the forges fury screening
His awe, inspiring face,
These of men are mightiest,
For on them the worlds hopes rest.
Clinkl Clanki Clinkl Clank!
Throb the hammers evermore;
Clink Clank! Clinki Clank!
Mingled with the forge's roar,
While restless tide of light
Beats upon the shores of night,
And the sooty smiths within
Sweat and toll amidst the din.
Loi l see the fl tful blaze
OF phantom FORCES, as 1 gaze
Backward on the toiling past.
And men with muscles strong as STEEL
Making their anvils ring and reel
With shock of sledges vast.
Wars dread enginery they smite
Into shape with godlike might,
Nor wall of suffering nations heed
Lifting up to heaven their faces
Of despair from wasted places
In eloquence of need
Ali that hope SO soon should bear
But the fruitage of despair.
Clink! Clank! Clinkl Clank!
Still the swinging hammers sing.
Clink! Clank! Clink! Clank!
Many-sounding anvils ring.
While with faces ruddy- bright
as the blazing shaft they smite,
Ceaselessly the brave smiths toll,
Caring not for mirk and MOL.
Now they forge an anchor strong
And cables of iron huge and long,
Coil on coil like serpents vast.
What care the shipmen for the gale,
Knowing that anchor will not fail
Nor cable tough be brast.
So faint, blown from farthest seas.
Bearing richest argosies,
There comes pecan full and free,
Up from hearts which hope rejoices.
All! stint net your happy voices
Brave toilers of the sen.
commerce to the world, +" they sing
"Peace and brotherhood shall bring"
Clink! Clank! Clink! Clank!
Up and down the sledges swing.
Clinki Clankl Clinkl Clankl
Buzzing swarms from FORCES spring
While the laboring bellows roar
Like the wind upon the shore,
With leathern lungs which never tire,
Quickening the lckle fire.
And now a thousand ploughshares CLEAN,
And visions of beauty brightly beam
On my ever wondering eyes;
Fair are the fields which peace doth SOW,
Brightly her blessed harvests glow
Beneath the smiling skies;
Never sword may glory bring
Bright as hers to lord or king,
Though richest realms despoilsd should be.
Shout with joy, Q, happy people,
Paans ring from every steeple,
Spare not praise of voice nor bell,
Ye with whom loved Peace may dwell.
Clink! Clank! Clink! Clank!
Still the busy hammers ring.
Clinkl Clank! Clink! Clankl
Still the sparks to heaven wing,
While the smiths with tireless zeal
Turn and shape the plant STEEL
Turn and shape, and shape and turn,
With rapt faces grave and stern.
Lo what a wondrous sight is here
A chaos of whirling wheels and gear
In dizzy dance and din.
Men need no more with toll expire
When iron hands which never tire
Their needful bread may win,
Spin and weave and plant and SOW,
Plough and dig and reap and NOW,
The monsters grim the smiths have planned
From the mirk of drudgery raising
Human labor which, God praising,
Shall glorify the land,
Till at last all men shall see
What their lives true scope may be.
o, Artisans! Brave Artisansl
The world has little thought of you.
o, Artisans! Wise Artisans
The world shall yield you yet yonr due.
Nor Caesars down the centuries frowning,
Nor Cromwells, royal brows discrowning,
Have holpen men like you,
Have been to them so true:
Ye are the kings the world shall crown,
Your kindly sway the world shall own,
o. glorious Artisans!
o, kingly Artisans!
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