THE DAY’S WORK.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 7, 13 February 1892, Page 147

THE DAY’S WORK.

Do thy day's work, my dear, Though fast ami dark the clouds are drifting neai. Though time has little left for hope and very much for fear. Do thy day’s work, though now The band must falter and the head must bow. And far above the failing foot shows the bold mountain brow. Yet there is left for us, Who on the valley's verge stand, trembling thus. A light that lies far in the west —soft, faint, but luminous. We can give kindly speech, And ready helping hands to all and each. And patience, to the young around, by smiling silence teach. We can give gentle thought. And charity, by life’s long lesson taught. And wisdom, from old faults lived down, by toil and failure wrought. We can give love, unmarred By selfish snatch at happiness, unjarred By the keen aims for power or joy that make youth cold and hard. And if gay hearts reject The gifts we hold—would fain fare on unchecked On the bright roads that scarcely yield all that young eyes expect. Why, do thy day’s work still. The calm deep founts of love are slow to chill ; And heaven may yet the harvest yield, the workworn hands to fill.