The Anvil of God's Word



Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith's door,

   And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then looking in, I saw upon the floor,

   Old hammers worn with beating years of time.



"How many anvils have you had," said I

   "To wear and batter all these hammers so?"

"Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye,

   "The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."



"And so," I thought, "The anvil of God's Word

   For ages sceptic blows have beaten upon,

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

   The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone."