THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX-GATHERER.
THE LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD.[ToC]
"Go, work within my vineyard's bound,
At eve your 'penny'[1] shall be found:"
So spake the vineyard's lord, and they
Began to toil at break of day.
For hours the sun had shown his face,
When idlers in the market-place
Once and again were sent within
The vineyard's wall their wage to win.
Nay, when but one short hour remains
Before the sun its goal attains,
More loiterers hear the Lord's command
And set to work with willing hand.
The steward came at close of day
Their wage to reckon and to pay;
And they whose toil could scarcely tire,
Received a penny for their hire.