POETRY

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 422, 26 May 1904, Page 2

POETRY

THE POETS FOBGE. Ml lite on his back, the idling smith, A lazy, dreaming fellow is he; Tie aky u blue, or the eky ia gray, He Ilea on hia tack the livelong d*y; Hot a toll in eight; say what they may, A curieua sort of smith is he. The powers of the air axe in league with him; The country around believes it wall; The wandering folk draw spying near; Vent right ner sound do they sae or No weider they feel a little faar; When ia It hia work la done to well ?

High over his head his metals awing} * He hammers them idly year by year, Hammers and chuckles a low refrain t ' A bench and book are a ball and chain, The adz* i'b better tool than the plana; What's the odds between now and next year!'

Hammers and chuckles hia low refrain, A lazy, dreaming fellow is he: When sudden, some day, bis bells peal out, And men, at the sound, for gladnea shout; He laughs and asks what if t all about; Oh, a curious sort of smith is he 1

—HXMBH JACXBON.