Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WAGES by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS

First Line: THE GREAT EMPLOYER PAYS NOT BY THE DAY
Last Line: AND THROW THEIR BRUTAL BARGAININGS IN THE FIRE?

The Great Employer pays not by the day,
Or by the piece, but only by the will, --
The loving purpose longing to fulfil,
The glad response that hastens to obey;
And when the Great Employer comes to pay,
He bids the worker take all that he will,
The heavenly gold of joy, and larger skill,
And sweet content, and songs upon the way.

When will the stupid cruelties of man
Learn God's high art of wages? pay desire?
Pay faithfulness that does the best it can?
Pay eager loyalties that never tire?
Adopt the one superbly prudent plan,
And throw their brutal bargainings in the fire?



Home: PoetryExplorer.net