Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/1155

 HERBERT EDWARD PALMER

Thrones melted, kingdoms pass'd to the world's rim. But Ishmael scourged the lion in Paran land, And kept his faith with God. And he will reign.

��948 Woodworker's Ballad

L LL that is moulded of iron

Has lent to destruction and blood; But the things that are honour'd of Zion Are most of them made from wood.

��A L

��Stone can be chisell'd to Beauty, And iron shines bright for Defence; But when Mother Earth pondcr'd her duty She brought forth the forest, from whence

Come tables, and chairs, and crosses, Little things that a hot fire warps, Old ships that the blue wave tosses, And fiddles for music, and harps;

Oak boards where the carved ferns mingle, Monks' shrines in the wilderness, Snug little huts in the dingle, All things that the sad poets bless.

King Arthur had a wood table;

And Our Lord blessed wood; for, you see,

He was born in a wooden stable,

And He died on a wooden tree;

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