To till the ground—
To know that 'neath the soil
There lies the recompense for all thy toil;
That through the clinging, heavy earth shall spring
The fruitage of thy careful nourishing.
To till the ground—
To know there is no clay,
But only Life that knoweth no decay;
The bud and blossom of eternal thought
Are sure reward for all that thou hast wrought.
To till the ground—
No curse, then, after all?
No condemnation and no Adam-fall;
Erect and Godlike, in His spirit free,
Man thinks the thoughts which prove his liberty!
