Originally published in 1840, this poem was inspired by the poet's ancestor Stephen Longfellow, a village smithy, schoolmaster, and town clerk.

"'The Village Blacksmith' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow from the Knickerbocker or New York Monthly Magazine vol. XVI. New York; 1840"--Title page verso.

The neighborhood blacksmith is a quiet and unassuming presence, tucked in his smithy under the chestnut tree. Sturdy, generous, and with sadness of his own, he toils through the day, passing on the tools of his trade, and come evening, takes a well-deserved rest. Longfellow's timeless poem is enhanced by contemporary art in this modern retelling of the tender tale of a humble craftsman. An afterword about the tools and the trade of blacksmithing will draw readers curious about this age-honored endeavor, which has seen renewed interest in developed countries and continues to be plied around the world.--Amazon.com.