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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
WORK AND CONTEMPLATION, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel Last Line: The better for the sweetness of our song. Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Christianity; Work; Workers | |||
THE woman singeth at her spinning-wheel A pleasant chant, ballad or barcarole; She thinketh of her song, upon the whole, Far more than of her flax; and yet the reel Is full, and artfully her fingers feel With quick adjustment, provident control, The lines -- too subtly twisted to unroll -- Out to a perfect thread. I hence appeal To the dear Christian Church -- that we may do Our Father's business in these temples mirk, Thus swift and steadfast, thus intent and strong; While thus, apart from toil, our souls pursue Some high calm spheric tune, and prove our work The better for the sweetness of our song. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER WORKING SIXTY HOURS AGAIN FOR WHAT REASON by HICOK. BOB DAY JOB AND NIGHT JOB by ANDREW HUDGINS BIXBY'S LANDING by ROBINSON JEFFERS ON BUILDING WITH STONE by ROBINSON JEFFERS LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS IN CALIFORNIA: MORNING, EVENING, LATE JANUARY by DENISE LEVERTOV A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |
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