I am the blacksmith, the hammer and the anvil,
Forging the weapons of war at the king’s behest.
The gods of war demand their tribute,
But I must not neglect my work, lest all be lost.
For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For want of a horse the rider was lost,
For want of a rider the battle was lost,
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.