Guido Sebaldi

Guido Sebaldi the mason Worked at a house of stone: Guido Sebaldi the mason Sand at his work alone. Till a stranger, he said unto him As he hammer'd the stone one day' 'Guido Sebaldi the mason, Hark to the words I say!' 'Leave thou this work, fit only For oxen that draw the plough: No longer Sebaldi the mason, Guido the sculptor thou!' Then Guido Sebaldi the mason Look'd on his work in shame. And 'Lo,' he said, 'I am lusty, I will build me a noble name.' Guido Sebaldi the sculptor Toil'd till his heart grew sore. Guido Sebaldi the sculptor Sang at his work no more. Vainly Sebaldi the mason Hammer'd the senseless stone. Vainly Sebaldi the mason Sigh'd at his work alone. His hands were ready and skillful, And his days with toil were rife, But the soul of the master was needed To waken the stone to life. Sadly Sebaldi the mason Went back to the house of stone; And his brow once more grew cheery As he sat at his work alone. But yet he was always thinking Of hopes that were long since o'er; And Guido Sebaldi the mason Sang at his work no more.