THE WORKER AND THE WORK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2069, 21 December 1907, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE WORKER AND THE WORK.

(By Ella AVlieel'er Wilcox.) ■ln wliat I do I note tho marring flaw, Tho imperfections of the work Isee; Nor am I ono who rather do than be, Since its reversal is Creation’s law. Nay, since there lies a better and a worse. A lesser and a larger, in men’sview, I would be better than tho thing I do, As God is greater than, 'liis universe. He shaped himself before be shaped one world: , A million eons, toiling day and night, Ho built himself to majesty and might, Before the planets into space were hurled. . And when Creation’s -early work was done, (What crude beginnings out of chaos came— A formless nebula, a wavering flamo, An errant comet, a voracious sun. And, still, unable to -perfect life -plan, Wflia-t awful creatures at his touch . •found birth— Thoso protoplasmic monsters of the \ earth. That o-wned tho world beforo he fashioned, Alan. And now. -behold the poor unfinished state ~Of this, his latest masterpiece! _ Then- why, Seeing the flaw-3, in my own work, should I 'Be troubled that no voice proclaims it -great ?

Before mo lies the cycling rounds of years; With this small earth will die the thing I -do: Tho thing I am goe3 journeying onward through A million lives, upon a million spheres.

My work I build, as -best X fail anil may, Knowing all mortal effort ends in dust. I build myself, not as I may, but must, Knowing, or good, or ill, that self must stay.

Along the . ages, out, and on. afar, Its journey leads,' and must perforce bo made. Likewise its choice, with tilings of shame and shade, Or up tho path of light, from star to 6tar.

Wien all these solar systems shall disperse, 'Perchance this labor, and this selfcontrol, •May -find reward; and my completed soul Will fling in- space, a little universe.