The Anvil

Last eve I paused beside a 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 hammer out, you know.”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed – the hammers gone.

John Clifford