Page:Poems (1915) G K Chesterton.djvu/90



WORD came forth in Galilee, a word like to a star;

It climbed and rang and blessed and burnt wherever brave hearts are;

A word of sudden secret hope, of trial and increase

Of wrath and pity fused in fire, and passion kissing peace.

A star that o'er the citied world beckoned, a sword of flame;

A star with myriad thunders tongued: a mighty word there came.

The wedge's dart passed into it, the groan of timber wains,

The ringing of the river nails, the shrieking of the planes;

The hammering on the roofs at morn, the busy workshop roar;

The hiss of shavings drifted deep along the windy floor;

The heat-browned toiler's crooning song, the hum of human worth—

Mingled of all the noise of crafts, the ringing word went forth.