DOWN and up, and up and down, Over and over and over; Turn in the little seed, dry and brown, Turn out the bright red clover. Work, and the sun your work will share, And the rain in its time will fall; For Nature, she worketh everywhere, And the grace of God through all. With hand on the spade and heart in the sky, Dress the ground, and till it; Turn in the little seed, brown and dry, Turn out the golden millet. Work, and your house shall be duly fed; Work, and rest shall be won; I hold that a man had better be dead Than alive, when his work is done! Down and up, and up and down, On the hill-top, low in the valley; Turn in the little seed, dry and brown, Turn out the rose and lily. Work with a plan, or without a plan, And your ends they shall be shaped true; Work, and learn at first hand, like a man, -- The best way to know is to do! Down and up till life shall close, Ceasing not your praises; Turn in the wild white winter snows, Turn out the sweet spring daisies. Work, and the sun your work will share, And the rain in its time will fall; For Nature, she worketh everywhere, And the grace of God through all. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BARD; A PINDARIC ODE by THOMAS GRAY THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER by FRANCIS SCOTT KEY AUTUMN by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD NORTH WIND IN OCTOBER by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES CLEVEDON VERSES: 3. SECUTURUS by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN GARDEN CLOSES by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON |