THE SWORD OF GRAM.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1418, 9 January 1885, Page 3

THE SWORD OF GRAM.

(BY HUM}ABIT B. SAHOSTIB, IV ' HABFBB'S YOUNG PBOPLB.') Hare you heard the rhyme of the sword of Gram— A mighty sword with a sparkling hilt f Oh, a flaming brand in the brave right hand Of him who had scorn for the stain of guilt. To a bouse that was ringing with btfdal bells, It was brought in the dusk of a sweet spring day By a kingly man—eo the legend tells— Close wrapped in a shadowy oloak of gray. With the step of Odin he crossed the door, With the voice of Odin he plainly spoke j Lightly the sword of Gram be bore, And cleft it deep to the heart of oak Of a giant tree on the hearth that lay. A silence fell on the wedding mirth. " Who frees the sword," as be strode away, Said Odin," Shall oonquer all the earth. Then one and another tried, be sure i But this was fickle and that was frail j But many, alas! had fives impure, And at touch of the hilt turned weak and pale,

Till a hero came in the bloom of youth* And the sword sprang swiftly to greet his hand < For white on his brow was the sign of truth, And the gods had tempered for him the brand.

So here and there through the world he sped To do the right and to shame the wrong | And crime and error before him fled. This champion eager and blyth and strong. He carried the wonderful sword of Gram Wherever he went, and the world wa§ wide; There was peace in his breast, and love, and rest, For he strove with Odin upon his side. You wish, my lad with the kindling ere, 'Twere yours to carry a blade like this— A magic brand in a brave right hand, And never the prise in a strife to miei P Believe my words that the sword Of Gram Is waiting still for the hero's grasp, Though never a king in a eloak of gray May have brought it nigh for the victor's oUsp. If the heart be pure and the hand be clean, The look be noble, the courage high* The boy will conquer the foes that throng, Nor drop his flag under any sky. For a greater than Odin on ms side Will help him strive for the deathless right j And he'll bear the mystical sword of Gram, And lightly carry its matchless might.