The Strong Smith by the Sea
Worked a strong smith by the sea,
Chanting thus with bosom bare,
‘The sword I change to shining share.’
Heaps of spears in his smithy lay,
Blades gore-dyed in the fearful fray,
And the sparks rose high on the morning air
As the sword was changed to the shining share.
And loud the monster bellows roared,
Reddening many an ancient sword.
‘This is the way,’ sang the strong smith there,
‘To change the spear to the shining share.’
The great wind came from the northern moor,
And shook the walls from roof to floor;
But that steady smith, in the forge’s glare,
Still changed the sword to the shining share.
And ever that strong man laboured he,
Summer and winter beside the sea,
With heavy hammer and bosom bare,
Till the swords were changed to the shining share.
