Soldier And Maker

Soldier and maker swiftly I Seized with my hand the spear and spoke: "Fall on the beast of the world beyond And strike the eagle-winged lion!"

Before me with God's grace, I saw Soulless the griffin seven-souled, Blood spurting from a hole hell-like And scorching with its heat the grass!

And then restored with calm, I saw The savage strife like a day's dawn; And the destroyer, I, became

A maker; and with this same hand, I carve on ivory the man Who slew the beast and make him deathless.

1896.