Poems (Barrett)/Work and Contemplation
WORK AND CONTEMPLATION.
The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel A pleasant chant, ballad or barcarolle; She thinketh of her song, upon the whole, Far more than of her flax; and yet the reel Is full, and artfully her fingers feel With quick adjustment, provident controul, The lines, too subtly twisted to unroll, Out to a perfect thread. I hence appeal To the dear Christian Church—that we may do Our Father's business in these temples mirk, Thus, swift and stedfast; thus, intent and strong; While, thus, apart from toil, our souls pursue Some high, calm, spheric tune, and prove our work The better for the sweetness of our song.