England's Antiphon

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A SONG OF LABOUR.

Art thou poor, yet hast thou golden slumbers?

Oh, sweet content!

Art thou rich, yet is thy mind perplexed?

Oh, punishment!

Dost thou laugh to see how fools are vexed

To add to golden numbers, golden numbers?

Oh, sweet content!

Chorus.--Work apace, apace, apace, apace;

Honest labour bears a lovely face.

Canst drink the waters of the crispéd spring?

Oh, sweet content!

Swimm'st thou in wealth, yet sink'st in thine own tears?

Oh, punishment!

Then he that patiently want's burden bears,

No burden bears, but is a king, a king!

Oh, sweet content!

Chorus.--Work apace, apace, apace, apace;

Honest labour bears a lovely face.

It is a song of the poor in spirit, whose is the kingdom of heaven. But if my co-listeners prefer, we will call it the voice, not of one who sings in the choir, but of one who "tunes his instrument at the door."




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