The hammer strike is steel on steel, the fire roars in need.
The bellows pump, the furnace glows, and furnace blacksmith feeds.

“A blade I crave,” the Captain said, “to strike the mortal blow.”
But Smith cried “OUT!” and shook his fist, and tried to slam the door.
“I cannot make you what you seek, I am no weaponsmith!”
“But smith the same,” said Captain grim, “the last of an exhausted list.”

The hammer strike is steel on steel, the fire roars in need.
The bellows pump, the furnace glows, the blacksmith’s sweat does bead.

“Iron then,” said Smith at last, “or else you’ll have naught from me.
“Blades take steel, and steel takes ore: no ore do I here see.”
He chuckled then into his beard, for iron surely lacked,
Yet Captain then unclenched his hand and iron fell to lap.

The hammer strike is steel on steel, the fire roars in need.
The bellows pump, the furnace glows, and Smith the metal kneads.

With sidelong look the smith gave out, and never asked the source;
Captain wisely held his tongue and prayed that speed be the course.
With hammer in hand and tongs in grip, the Smith worked day and night,
Changing plowshares into blades to ease the Captain’s plight.

The hammer strike is steel on steel, the fire roars in need.
The bellows pump, the furnace glows, while Smith works at the deed.

When Smith shows blade to Captain tall, he does so with a grimace:
The sword is awkward in the hand, for Smith square knows his limits.
The blade is long and strangely shaped, but the metal strong as stone.
A grip from hard-wrapped Captain’s arm is sure to cut through bone.

The hammer stroke is steel on steel, the fire roars in need.
The bellows pump, the furnace glows, the Captain takes his leave.

With blade in hand and shield on arm, the Captain mounts his steed:
To win the fight; to rule with might; his banner in the breeze.
So, usurper, quail: flee now while you still may!
The Captain’s got a sword again and, with it, you he’ll slay!

The Captain’s strike is steel on steel, his army roars in need.
The hoofbeats pump, the torchlight glows, the Captain rides with speed!