LET us with care observe | |
| What from our strength, yet weakness, springs; | |
| For he respect can ne’er deserve | |
| Who hands alone to labor brings. | |
| ’T is only this which honors man; | 5 |
| His mind with heavenly fire was warmed, | |
| That he with deepest thought might scan | |
| The work which his own hand has formed. * * * * * | |
| Cheerful in the forest gloom, | |
| The wanderer turns his weary steps | 10 |
| To his loved, though lowly home. | |
| Bleating flocks draw near the fold; | |
| And the herds, | |
| Wide-horned, and smooth, slow-pacing come | |
| Lowing from the hill, | 15 |
| The accustomed stall to fill. | |
| Heavy rolls | |
| Along the wagon, | |
| Richly loaded. | |
| On the sheaves, | 20 |
| With gayest leaves | |
| They form the wreath; | |
| And the youthful reapers dance | |
| Upon the heath. | |
| Street and market all are quiet, | 25 |
| And round each domestic light | |
| Gathers now a circle fond, | |
| While shuts the creaking city-gate. | |
| Darkness hovers | |
| O’er the earth. | 30 |
| Safety still each sleeper covers | |
| As the light, | |
| That the deeps of crime discovers; | |
| For wakes the law’s protecting might. | |
| |
| Holy Order! rich with all | 35 |
| The gifts of Heaven, that best we call,— | |
| Freedom, peace, and equal laws,— | |
| Of common good the happy cause! | |
| She the savage man has taught | |
| What the arts of life have wrought; | 40 |
| Changed the rude hut to comfort, splendor, | |
| And filled fierce hearts with feelings tender | |
| And yet a dearer bond she wove,— | |
| Our home, our country, taught to love. | |
| |
| A thousand active hands, combined | 45 |
| For mutual aid, with zealous heart, | |
| In well apportioned labor find | |
| Their power increasing with their art. | |
| Master and workmen all agree, | |
| Under sweet Freedom’s holy care, | 50 |
| And each content in his degree, | |
| Warns every scorner to beware. | |
| Labor is the poor man’s pride,— | |
| Success by toil alone is won. | |
| Kings glory in possessions wide,— | 55 |
| We glory in our work well done. | |
| |
