THE SONG OF THE AXE.
———
BY C. L. WHELER.
———
Let the poet-lord bepraise the sword
That gleams on Conquest’s track;
Be’t mine to prolong a humbler song—
The song of the woodman’s axe!
’Tis meet to sing of th’ lowliest thing
That graces the reign of Peace,
And add our praise, in hearty lays,
Or prayers for bright increase.
In the ruddy flood of battle’s blood
Its splendor ne’er was dimmed,
For a gentler fame awaits its name
Than e’er the soldier hymned.
Like a pioneer, with voice of cheer,
It breaks the forest’s gloom,
And maketh the earth give joyous birth,
And like a garden bloom!
And the palace dome, or peasant’s home,
It rears with brave command;
For no towering oak its lusty stroke
Could ever yet withstand.
Ho! the axe is king of the wildwood ring,
And of the lordly trees,
For before his blow they bow them low
That laugh at the mountain breeze.
And his trophies bright are truth and light,
And Plenty’s golden store;
For no drop of teen e’er dims the sheen
That flashed in days of yore!
Then praise to the king of the wildwood ring,
The woodman’s shining axe;
For a gentler fame awaits its name
Than the sword or Conquest’s tracks.
THE WAGER OF BATTLE.
A TALE OF THE FEUDAL AGES.
———
BY W. GILMORE SIMMS, AUTHOR OF “GUY RIVERS,” “THE YEMASSEE,” “RICHARD HURDIS,” &c.
———