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Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

Poems of Sentiment: VI. Labor and Rest

Labor Done

Friedrich von Schiller (1759–1805)

From the German by Samuel Atkins Eliot

From “Song of the Bell”

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;

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

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,

The accustomed stall to fill.

Heavy rolls

Along the wagon,

Richly loaded.

On the sheaves,

With gayest leaves

They form the wreath;

And the youthful reapers dance

Upon the heath.

Street and market all are quiet,

And round each domestic light

Gathers now a circle fond,

While shuts the creaking city-gate.

Darkness hovers

O’er the earth.

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

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;

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

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,

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,—

We glory in our work well done.