Literature and Art 



Lesson 93 



THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH 



UNDER a spreading chestnut-tree 

 The village smithy stands; 

 The smith, a mighty man is he, 



With large and sinewy hands; 

 And the muscles of his brawny arms 

 Are strong as iron bands. 



His hair is crisp, and black, and long, 



His face is like the tan; 

 His brow is wet with honest sweat, 



He earns whate'er he can, 

 And looks the whole world in the face, 



For he owes not any man. 



Week in, week out, from morn till night, 

 You can hear his bellows blow; 



You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, 

 With measured beat and slow, 



Like a sexton ringing the village bell, 

 When the evening sun is low. 



And children coming home from school 

 Look in at the open door; 



