TUBAL CAIN CHARLES MACKAY 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. 1 OLD Tubal Cain was a man of might In the days when the earth was young; And he lifted high his brawny hand On the iron glowing clear, Till the sparks rushed out in scarlet showers, 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." 2 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, And gave him gifts of pearls and gold, And spoils of forest free. And they sang, "Hurrah for Tubal Cain, 3 But a sudden change came o'er his heart And Tubal Cain was filled with pain He saw that men, with rage and hate, That the land was red with the blood they shed And he said, "Alas, that ever I made, Or that skill of mine should plan, The spear and the sword for men whose joy 4 And, for many a day, old Tubal Cain And his hand forbore to smite the ore, And bared his strong right arm for work, "Not alone for the blade was the bright steel made,"And he fashioned the first plowshare. 5 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; But, while oppression lifts its head, Though we may thank him for the plow, HELPS TO STUDY Historical: Tubal Cain was one of the sons of Lamech, a descend ant of Cain. Tubal Cain and his two brothers, Jabal and Jubal, are remembered because of inventions believed to have been made by them. Jabal was the "father of such as dwell in tents and of such as have cattle,'' that is, he was the first wandering herdsman. Jubal was the "father of all such as handle the harp and organ. "" Tubal Cain was an "instructor of every artificer in brass and iron,'' that is, he was the first smith. These men lived in the days before the flood and all that we really know of their history is given in the fourth chapter of Genesis. Notes and Questions What did they do with the weap How did this make him feel? What did men do with the swords and spears after Tubal Cain gave them his later invention? What do you think was the "wisdom" which men learned from the time of strife and war? Words and Phrases for Study weap'-ons ty'-rǎnt Lucy Larcom (1826-1893) was born in Beverly, Massachusetts. Her father was a ship captain. She taught school for twenty years. 1 "THERE's a merry brown thrush sitting up in a tree He's singing to me! he's singing to me!" And what does he say, little girl, little boy? "Oh, the world's running over with joy! Hush! Look! In my tree, I'm as happy as happy can be!'" 2 And the brown thrush keeps singing "A nest do you see, And five eggs, hid by me in the juniper-tree? Don't meddle! don't touch! little girl, little boy, Or the world will lose some of its joy. Now I'm glad! Now I'm free! And I always shall be, If you never bring sorrow to me." 3 So the merry brown thrush sings away in the tree, and to me, to you and to me; To you And he sings all the day, little girl, little boy, Oh, the world's running over with joy; But long it won't be, Don't you know? don't you see? měd'-dle-to disturb another's property without permission. měr'-ry—cheerful; happy; laughingly gay. How pleasant the life of a bird must be, In the leafy trees, so broad and tall, For Biography, see p. 34. |