POETRY.
LABOR. There's a never-dying chorus Breaking on the human ear, In the busy town before us Voices loud, and deep, and clear. This is labor's endless ditty; This is toil's prophetic voice, Sounding through the town and city, Bidding human hearts rejoice. Sweeter than the poet's singing Is that anthem of the free; Blither is the anvil's ringing Than the song of bird or bee. There's a glory : in the rattle Of the' wheels, ''mid factory gloom ; . Richer than e'er snatched from battle Are the trophies of the loom. See the skilful mason raising Gracefully yon towering pile; Round the forge and furnace blazing Stand the noble men of toil. They are heroes of the people, Who the wealth of nations raise; Every dome, and spire, and steeple, » Rear their heads in labor's praise. "; Glorious men of truth and labor, £, Shepherds of the human fold, '1 That shall lay the brand and sabre \ With the barbarous things of old. Priests and prophets of creation, Bloodless heroes in the fight, • Toilers for the world's salvation, Messengers of peace and light. Speed the plough aud speed the harrow; Peace and plenty send abroad ; Better far the spade and barrow Than the cannon or the sword. Each invention, each improvement, Renders weak oppression's rod; Every sign and every movement Brings us nearer truth and God.
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Bibliographic details
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 208, 3 November 1866, Page 3
Word Count
223POETRY. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 208, 3 November 1866, Page 3
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