Peace, from "Picture Poesies"

John William North|Dalziel Brothers|George Routledge & Sons, London

first published 1867, reissued 1874 · Wood engraving · Drawings and Prints

North's image of a woman and girl tending to a lamb beneath a flowering tree first appeared in "Wayside Posies:Original Poems of the Country Life," a book edited by Robert Williams Buchanan, illustrated by G. J. Pinwell, J. W. North, and Frederick Walker, engraved by the Brothers Dalziel, and published by Routledge as a Fine Art gift book. In 1874, the publisher reissued the print in "Picture Poesies." The related poem, whose author is not identified, celebrates the peace that England currently enjoys, and prays that it may continue. Peace War thunders out of other lands, And men are slain by human hands, And mothers' moans and widows' tears Sadden the sweetness of the years. But here in Engalnd blooms the palm, Is breathed the prayer and sung the psalm; Though, sleepless on his iron height, The Lion's eye is rolled in light. The stream unreddened sweeps along; The poet hums a quiet song; Yet, from the anvil's piercing tongue The war-cry of the sword is rung. In English meadows sleeps the lamb, Meek symbol of the pure 'I AM'; But dark in yon celestial sky A taloned Fate is sailing by. But keep, O England, peaceful rule; Far from thy shores be knave and fool; Lest the slow anger of thy sons Loose the swift lightning of their guns. And pour, O God, around this isle The living splendour of Thy smile, That all our bays and peaks may be Havens and thrones of Liberty!

Artist

John William North|Dalziel Brothers|George Routledge & Sons, London

Date

first published 1867, reissued 1874

Medium

Wood engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Gift of Wilbur Macey Stone, 1921