Poems (Angier)/Life's Duties
LIFE'S DUTIES.
Life hath its duties—scorn who may,The mandate comes, "Go, work to-day;The field's the world, the labor great;Time for the sluggard ne'er will wait:Ready or not. Death's arrows fly,Faithful or false is known on high:The golden sheaves, they only bear,They only crowns of victory wear,Who patient toil through weary years;Still buoyed with Hope, though bowed with fears:Heaven's law of Love—when that shall WeMan's guiding star, the world will seeAnd feel this truth; to live to bless,Is wisdom's way of pleasantness.If thou would'st share an angel's bliss,Then be thy earthly mission this—The mandate heed, that voice obey,Which says to all, "Go, work to-day."