| Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). An American Anthology, 1787–1900. 1900. |
| |
| 1467. The Armorer’s Song |
| | | By Harry Bache Smith |
| |
| |
1
LET hammer on anvil ring, | |
| And the forge fire brightly shine; | |
| Let wars rage still, | |
| While I work with a will | |
| At this peaceful trade of mine. | 5 |
| The sword is a weapon to conquer fields; | |
| I honor the man who shakes it: | |
| But naught is the lad who the broad-sword wields | |
| Compared to the lad who makes it. | |
| |
| Clang! Clang! Clang! | 10 |
| Then huzzah for the anvil, the forge, and the sledge! | |
| Huzzah for the sparks that fly! | |
| If I had a cup I would straightway pledge | |
| The armorer—that is I! | |
| |
2
Let others of glory sing, | 15 |
| As they struggle in glory’s quest. | |
| Let them wave their brands | |
| In their mailëd hands, | |
| While the sword smites shield and crest. | |
| Oh, war is a trade I have not essayed, | 20 |
| Though goodliest frame attends it. | |
| I sing of the one who, when fight is done, | |
| Takes every good sword and mends it. | |
| |
| Clang! Clang! Clang! | |
| Then huzzah for the valiant, the squire, or the knight, | 25 |
| Who loveth the battle-cry! | |
| But here ’s to the swordsman that maketh them fight, | |
| The armorer—that is I! | |
| |
|
|
|
