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The Dawn in Britain

by Charles M. Doughty

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Kings, now, in all South Britain, prepare war.
The glades reek, in fair Kent, of Andred Forest;
Whose broad shaws sound, with travaillous multitude,
Hewers of oaks. Many, in dripping delves,
Burrow, and see no sun. Are burners, some,
Of coal; some couch crude ores, of iron, with lime.
And there, on hundred stithies, loudly beat,

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By soughing bellows, many famous smiths.
They weld red-hot iron bars, they turn with tongs;
And smite, again! with valiant cunning hands.
Blades of blue steel they labour, long broad-swords,
And cast, in water-troughs, out, heads of spears.
And oft those call on Brigit! whilst they sweat.