LABOR.
[Footnote: These lines were suggested by the simple incident of an industrious wood-sawyer's reply to a man who told him that his was a hard work. "Yes, it is hard, to be sure; but it is harder to do nothing," was his answer.]
CAROLINE F. ORNE.
1. Ho, ye who at the anvil toil, And strike the sounding blow, Where, from the burning iron's breast, The sparks fly to and fro, While answering to the hammer's ring, And fire's intenser glow!—Oh, while ye feel 'tis hard to toil And sweat the long day through, Remember, it is harder still To have no work to do!
2. Ho, ye who till the stubborn soil, Whose hard hands guide the plow, Who bend beneath the summer sun, With burning cheek and brow!—Ye deem the curse still clings to earth From olden time till now; But, while ye feel 'tis hard to toil And labor all day through, Remember, it is harder still To have no work to do!
3. Ho, ye who plow the sea's blue field, Who ride the restless wave, Beneath whose gallant vessel's keel There lies a yawning grave, Around whose bark the wint'ry winds Like fiends of fury rave!—Oh, while ye feel 'tis hard to toil And labor long hours through, Remember, it is harder still To have no work to do! 4 Ho, ye upon whose fevered cheeks The hectic glow is bright, Whose mental toil wears out the day, And half the weary night, Who labor for the souls of men, Champions of truth and right!—Although ye feel your toil is hard, Even with this glorious view, Remember, it is harder still To have no work to do! 5. Ho, all who labor,—all who strive Ye wield a lofty power; Do with your might, do with your strength, Fill every golden hour! The glorious privilege to do Is man's most noble dower. Oh, to your birthright and yourselves To your own souls be true! A weary, wretched life is theirs, Who have no work to do!
QUESTIONS.—1. What incident suggested these thoughts to the writer? 2. Who toil at the anvil? 3. Who till the stubborn soil? 4. Who plow the sea's blue wave? 5. Who toil mentally? 6. Who labor for the souls of men? 7. What is man's most noble dower? 8. What is said to all these different laborers? 9. What is the meaning of the suffix less in the word restless? See SANDERS & McELLIGOTT'S ANALYSIS, page 140, Ex. 187.
[!-- Marker --] LESSON XLV.
E LIC' IT, draw forth.
IN TEL' LI GENT, knowing; well-informed.
RE FRAIN, hold in, or keep back.
IG NO RA' MUS, ignorant person.
RE TORT', reply; answer back.
IN DEL' I BLY, in a way not to be effaced.
MYS' TE RIES, profound secrets.
AB SORB' ED, engrossed; occupied.
MOR TI FI CA' TION, deep disappointment.
OB STA CLE, hinderance; impediment.
RE VOLT ED, shrank back.
POR' ING, earnestly perusing.
EM I NENCE, distinction.
IN FOR MA' TION, knowledge.
IL LIT' ER ATE, ignorant; unlearned.
PRO FES' SION, business; employment.
DIS' CI PLIN ED trained; instructed.
CON TEMPT' U OUS, scornful; hateful.
AN TAG' O NIST, opponent; adversary.