“One lesson, Nature, let me learn of thee,
One lesson which in every wind is blown,
One lesson of two duties kept at one,
Though the loud world proclaim their enmity –
Of toil unsevered from tranquillity!
Of labour, that in lasting fruit outgrows
Far noisier schemes, accomplished in repose,
Too great for haste, too high for rivalry!
Yes, while on earth a thousand discords ring,
Man’s fitful uproar mingling with his toil,
Still do thy quiet ministers move on,
Their glorious tasks in silence perfecting;
Still working, blaming still our vain turmoil,
Labours that shall not fail, when man is gone.”
One lesson which in every wind is blown,
One lesson of two duties kept at one,
Though the loud world proclaim their enmity –
Of toil unsevered from tranquillity!
Of labour, that in lasting fruit outgrows
Far noisier schemes, accomplished in repose,
Too great for haste, too high for rivalry!
Yes, while on earth a thousand discords ring,
Man’s fitful uproar mingling with his toil,
Still do thy quiet ministers move on,
Their glorious tasks in silence perfecting;
Still working, blaming still our vain turmoil,
Labours that shall not fail, when man is gone.”
MATTHEW ARNOLD
“And work all silently
And simply . . . as God does it all;
Distort our nature never for our work,
Nor count our right hands stronger for being hoofs,
The man most man with tend’rest human hands
Works best for Man – as God in Nazareth.”
And simply . . . as God does it all;
Distort our nature never for our work,
Nor count our right hands stronger for being hoofs,
The man most man with tend’rest human hands
Works best for Man – as God in Nazareth.”
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING
