All Nature seems at work, slugs leave their lair--
The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing--
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All Nature seems at work, slugs leave their lair--
The bees are stirring--birds are on the wing--
And Winter, slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!
And I the while, the sole unbusy thing,
Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.

Too long, that some may rest,
Tired millions toil unblest.

Too long, that some may rest,
Tired millions toil unblest.

No man is born into the world whose work
Is not born with him: there is always work,
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No man is born into the world whose work
Is not born with him: there is always work,
And tools to work withal, for those who will;
And blessed are the horny hand of toil!

The work under our labour grows
Luxurious by restraint.

The work under our labour grows
Luxurious by restraint.

Keep doing some kind of work, that the devil may always find you
employed.
[Lat., Facito aliquid operis, read more

Keep doing some kind of work, that the devil may always find you
employed.
[Lat., Facito aliquid operis, ut semper te diabolus inveniat
occupatum.]

When Adam dalfe and Eve spane
So spire if thou may spede,
Where was then the pride read more

When Adam dalfe and Eve spane
So spire if thou may spede,
Where was then the pride of man,
That nowe merres his mede?

Thine to work as well as pray,
Clearing thorny wrongs away;
Plucking up the weeds of sin,
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Thine to work as well as pray,
Clearing thorny wrongs away;
Plucking up the weeds of sin,
Letting heaven's warm sunshine in.

Sometimes our work feels small and insignificant. But remember, a small ripple can gain momentum and build a current so read more

Sometimes our work feels small and insignificant. But remember, a small ripple can gain momentum and build a current so strong that is insurmountable.

I have had my labor for my travail; ill-thought-on of her, and
ill-thought-on of you; gone between and between, read more

I have had my labor for my travail; ill-thought-on of her, and
ill-thought-on of you; gone between and between, but small thanks
for my labor.