Songs and Ballads for Manufacturers, by J.M. Neale (1850)

Songs and Ballads for Manufacturers

By the Rev. John Mason Neale

London: Joseph Masters, 1850.

V. The Tunbridge-Ware Manufacturers.

There is not, they say, a dumb thing but can teach A lesson as wisely as if it had speech; So I’ll sing you, my masters, a song, you that choose, Of what you may learn from the woods that we use.

Let your courage be stout when the Truth you defend; Let its enemy break you before he can bend; Stand firm to his bluster, stand fair to his stroke; If he is the tempest, then you be the Oak!

You may conquer your foe,—when the quarrel’s for pelf,— If you strive;—if you yield, you will conquer yourself: Let them talk about spirit and pride as they please; You copy the Willow that bends to the breeze!

Keep make-bates at distance, drive tell-tales away, And banish the whisperer as far as you may; Take your pattern from Chesnut, that, framed in a roof, Drives worms from the place, and keeps spiders aloof!

Give aid to your neighbours, when aid they desire; Ask help from your neighbours, when help you require: Give and take, take and give, throw away mine and thine, And each shelter each, like a forest of Pine!

Never say, when you’re asked to take business in hand, It is not my place, or, I don’t understand: If you’re good but for one thing, your worth is but small; Come, try to be useful, as Box is, for all!

There are many who stick by a prosperous friend, But forsake him the moment his wealth’s at an end: Be you like the Ivy, that clings to the wall, And clasps it the closer, the liker to fall.

Never answer, lest surly and harsh you appear, A sigh with a smile, nor a laugh with a tear; But copy the Ash, o’er the river-side bent, That itself seems to weep to the water’s lament.

Be as thankful, and just, and as honestly deal In the winter of woe, as the summer of weal: And yield better fruit, by the works that you do, If you hope to be evermore green, like the Yew!