The Bundle Of Sticks

To his sons, who fell out, father spake:
"This Bundle of Sticks you can't break;
Take them singly, with ease,
You may break as you please,
So, dissension your strength will unmake."

Strength Is In Unity

Walter Crane

Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator, considered to be one of the most prolific and influential children's book creators of his generation. Born on August 15, 1845, and passing away on March 14, 1915, he was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and is known for his innovative contributions to children's literature. His work often combined art and poetry, aiming to educate and delight young readers.

Walter Crane

The Oak & The Reeds

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Lavender's Blue

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Old English Garden - A Floral Phantasy

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Coltsfoot And Larkspur Speedwell

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

English

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The Old Man And His Sons.

^[1]

All power is feeble with dissension:
For this I quote the Phrygian slave.^[2]
If aught I add to his invention,
It is our manners to engrave,
And not from any envious wishes; -
I'm not so foolishly ambitious.
Phaedrus enriches oft his story,
In quest - I doubt it not - of glory:
Such thoughts were idle in my breast.
An aged man, near going to his rest,
His gather'd sons thus solemnly address'd: -
'To break this bunch of arrows you may try;
And, first, the string that binds them I untie.'
The eldest, having tried with might and main,
Exclaim'd, 'This bundle I resign
To muscles sturdier than mine.'
The second tried, and bow'd himself in vain.
The youngest took them with the like success.
All were obliged their weaknes...

Jean de La Fontaine

The Oak & The Reeds

Giant Oak, in his strength & his scorn
Of the winds, by the roots was uptorn:
But slim Reeds at his side,
The fierce gale did outride,
Since, by bending the burden was borne.

Bend, Not Break

Walter Crane

Hymn Of Breaking Strain

The careful text-books measure
(Let all who build beware!)
The load, the shock, the pressure
Material can bear.
So, when the buckled girder
Lets down the grinding span,
The blame of loss, or murder,
Is laid upon the man.
Not on the Stuff, the Man!

But, in our daily dealing
With stone and steel, we find
The Gods have no such feeling
Of justice toward mankind.
To no set gauge they make us,,
For no laid course prepare,
And presently oertake us
With loads we cannot bear:
Too merciless to bear.

The prudent text-books give it
In tables at the end,
The stress that shears a rivet
Or makes a tie-bar bend,
What traffic wrecks macadam,
What concrete should endure,
But we, poor Sons of Adam,
Have no such literature...

Rudyard

The Two Jars

"Never fear!" said The Brass to the Clay
Of two Jars that the flood bore away:
"Keep you close to my side!"
But the porcelain replied,
"I'll be smashed if beside you I stay."

Our Friend Our Enemy

Walter Crane

Drill.

When day's hard task's done,
    Eve's scant meal partaken,
Out we steal each one,
    Weariless, unshaken.

In small reeking squares,
    Garbaged plots, we gather,
Little knots and pairs,
    Brother, sister, father.

Then the word is given.
    In their silent places
Under lowering heaven,
    Range our stern-set faces.

Now we march and wheel
    In our clumsy line,
Shouldering sticks for steel,
    Thoughts like bitter brine!

Drill, drill, drill, and drill!
    It is only thus
Conquer yet we will
    Those who've conquered us.

Patience, sisters, mothers!
    We must not forget
Dear dead fathers, brothers;
    They must teach us yet.

In that hour we see,
    The hour of our desir...

Francis William Lauderdale Adams

Strike Hands, Young Men!

Strike hands, young men!
We know not when
Death or disaster comes,
Mightier than battle-drums
To summon us away.
Death bids us say farewell
To all we love, nor stay
For tears; - and who can tell
How soon misfortune's hand
May smite us where we stand,
Dragging us down, aloof,
Under the swift world's hoof?

Strike hands for faith, and power
To gladden the passing hour;
To wield the sword, or raise a song; -
To press the grape; or crush out wrong.
And strengthen right.
Give me the man of sturdy palm
And vigorous brain;
Hearty, companionable, sane,
'Mid all commotions calm,
Yet filled with quick, enthusiastic fire; -
Give me the man
Whose impulses aspire,
And all his features seem to say, "I can!"

Strike hand...

George Parsons Lathrop