| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895. |
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| The Axe |
| | | Isabella Valancey Crawford (b. c.1857–87) |
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| 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 |
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| “Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree! | |
| What doth thy bold voice promise me?” | |
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| “I promise thee all joyous things | |
| That furnish forth the lives of kings! | |
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“For every silver ringing blow, 10 |
| Cities and palaces shall grow!” | |
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“Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree! |
| Tell wider prophecies to me.” | |
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“When rust hath gnawed me deep and red, |
| A nation strong shall lift his head. | 15 |
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“His crown the very Heavens shall smite, |
| Æons shall build him in his might!” | |
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“Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree; |
| Bright Seer, help on thy prophecy!” | |
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| 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!” | |
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