Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE WORK-GOD, by E. LYTTLETON FOX First Line: From the iciest bergs of the northland Last Line: At the step of the work-god's shrine. Subject(s): Yale University | ||||||||
FROM the iciest bergs of the Northland Mid the realms of eternal snow To the placid streams of an Eden Where the Regia lilies blow; From the East, where the Sultan's millions Bow down at the muezzin's call, To the West, where the ringing hammers Forever rise and fall; Wherever the Four Winds journey, Wherever the Earth's brown face Is mottled and blotched and teeming With the Ants of the Human Race, Wherever Man's Love of Conquest Has led Man's Foot to stray, Lord over his Hands and the Sweat of his Brow The Work-god holds his sway. He bides in the heat-swept foundry Mid the breath of the molten steel And guides the naked striking-arm With a touch it cannot feel. He enters the soul of the Artist With Nature's beauties rife, And lo, the Painted Bosom Heaves with the Breath of Life. He stands at the Seaman's elbow When the lightning's fitful gleam Lays bare the teeth of the Sisters Three And pales the Home Light's beam. He touches the brain of the Statesman Charged with a nation's cares, And clears the eye, and clams the mind, That guard the State's affairs. The creeds of Mohammed and Buddha May be marked by a race or a clime; Their beginnings and ends are known by Men, And are pricked on the Chart of Time. But behold the Creed of the Work-God Is the Creed of Forever and Aye; It began with the World's Creation, It will end with the Judgment Day. 'Twas the Creed of the Grecian galley slave As he strained at the ashen oar; 'Tis Creed to-day of the engineer When the thundering drive-wheels roar. It heeds not Race, nor Color, Nor Birth nor Boundary Line, For the Yankee is kin to the Malay At the step of the Work-god's Shrine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BALLADE OF MYSELF AND MONSIEUR RABELAIS by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954) THE BALLADE OF THE GOLDEN HORN by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954) DEATH AND THE MONK by ARTHUR E. BAKER PASSIO XL MARTYRUM by ARTHUR E. BAKER THE LAST BALLADE; MASTER FRANCOIS VILLON LOQUITUR by THOMAS BEER WERE IT ONLY NOW by A. W. BELL AS FROM THE PAST -- by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE LINE MEN by WILLIAM ROSE BENET A PARTING WORD by E. LYTTLETON FOX |
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