* * * * *
"Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree,
What doth thy bold voice promise me?"
* * * * *
"I promise thee all joyous things,
That furnish forth the lives of kings!
* * * * *
"For ev'ry silver ringing blow,
Cities and palaces shall grow!"
* * * * *
"Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree,
Tell wider prophecies to me."
* * * * *
"When rust hath gnaw'd me deep and red;
A nation strong shall lift his head!
* * * * *
"His crown the very Heav'ns shall smite,
Aeons shall build him in his might!"
* * * * *
"Bite deep and wide, O Axe, the tree;
Bright Seer, help on thy prophecy!"
* * * * *
Max smote the snow-weigh'd tree and lightly laugh'd.
"See, friend," he cried to one that look'd and smil'd,
"My axe and I--we do immortal tasks--
We build up nations--this my axe and I!"
"O," said the other with a cold, short smile,
"Nations are not immortal! is there now
"One nation thron'd upon the sphere of earth,
"That walk'd with the first Gods, and saw
"The budding world unfold its slow-leav'd flow'r?
"Nay; it is hardly theirs to leave behind
"Ruins so eloquent, that the hoary sage
"Can lay his hand upon their stones, and say:
"'These once were thrones!' The lean, lank lion peals
"His midnight thunders over lone, red plains,
"Long-ridg'd and crested on their dusty waves,
"With fires from moons red-hearted as the sun;
"And deep re-thunders all the earth to him.
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