Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922.
A Song of HandicraftsAnnie Matheson (18531924)
Flax unfolded to receive:
Out of sky and flax and art,
Lovely raiment I achieve—
Earth a part and heaven a part,
God in all, for Whom I weave!
A message fell from the sun’s lip;
Fire and strength it downward drew
For the faggot and the ship:
God’s own, in the forest, grew
Timber that I hew and chip.
I will make my brick or stone:
At the door of God I knock,
Builder whose command I own,
Who can birth and death unlock,
And in dust can find a throne.
Feel Thy spirit in our hands:
All the worlds are full of Thee—
Wake our eyes and break our bands—
Servants, and for ever free,
Sons, and heirs of all thy lands!