34 TUBAL CAIN

Old Tubal Cain was a man of might

In the days when the earth was young;

By the fierce red light of his furnace bright

The strokes of his hammer rung;

And he lifted high his brawny hand

On the iron glowing clear.

Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers,

As he fashioned the sword and spear.

And he sang, “Hurrah for my handiwork!

Hurrah for the spear and sword!

Hurrah for the hand that shall wield them well!

For he shall be king and lord.”

To Tubal Cain came many a one.

As he wrought by his roaring fire.

And each one prayed for a strong steel blade,

As the crown of his desire;

And he made them weapons, sharp and strong,

Till they shouted loud in glee.

And gave him gifts of pearls and gold,

And spoils of forest free.

And they sang, “Hurrah for Tubal Cain,

Who hath given us strength anew!

Hurrah for the smith! hurrah for the fire!

And hurrah for the metal true!”

But a sudden change came o’er his heart

Ere the setting of the sun,

And Tubal Cain was filled with pain

For the evil he had done.

He saw that men, with rage and hate,

Made war upon their kind;

That the land was red with the blood they shed

In their lust for carnage, blind.

And he said, “Alas, that ever I made,

Or that skill of mine should plan,

The spear and the sword for men whose joy

Is to slay their fellow-man!”

And for many a day old Tubal Cain

Sat brooding o’er his woe;

And his hand forbore to smite the ore,

And his furnace smoldered low;

But he rose at last with a cheerful face

And a bright, courageous eye,

And bared his strong right arm for work,

While the quick flames mounted high;

And he sang, “Hurrah for my handiwork!”

And the red sparks lit the air —

“Not alone for the blade was the bright steel made” —

And he fashioned the first plowshare.

And men, taught wisdom from the past,

In friendship joined their hands,

Hung the sword in the hall, the spear on the wall,

And plowed the willing lands;

And sang, “Hurrah for Tubal Cain!

Our stanch good friend is he.

And, for the plowshare and the plow,

To him our praise shall be.

But, while oppression lifts its head,

Or a tyrant would be lord,

Though we may thank him for the plow,

We’ll not forget the sword.”

( Charles Mackay )

The Author

Charles Mackay (1814-1889) was a Scotch poet. For some years he was editor of the Glasgow Argus, and afterwards he became editor of the Illustrated London News. During the Civil War he was the special correspondent of the London Times at New York. He wrote many poems of interest to young people.

Word list

fashioned : made by hand

handiwork : skillful craftsmanship

lust : passion for someone or something

You Practice

Answer the following questions.

1) What did Tubal Cain first make on his forge

2) Why did he think his work was good?

3) What did men say about him?

4) How did Tubal Cain feel when he saw what men were doing with the products of his forge?

5) What did he do then?

6) What finally made him cheerful

7) Why was Tubal Cain happy when he made plows?

8) Was he working for money or service?