Classic Poem

Toil not for burnished gold that poorly shines

1

Toil not for burnished gold that poorly shines,
Whilst the soul rusts and her pure life declines;
Nor Honour's purple robe, that but constrains
Full many a wight that wears it for his pains;
Nor treacherous Fame that oft defames in praising,
Nor fairest face that fades whilst thou art gazing,
Like evening clouds, now filled with rosy light
Now dull as lead beneath the brow of Night: —
But labour lest thy spirit be opprest
With unfilled leisure — that supreme unrest —
Worst load that life can lay upon a mortal breast.

2

What are professions? Means to gather wealth
At risk of conscience, comfort, calmness, health? —
Nay, view them in their larger nobler plan
As social services of man to man.
Labour for wealth — to use at God's command,
And spread his blessings over sea and land;
For pow'r and influence, that thy Christian soul,
Cased in strong mail, may conquer and control;
Labour in youth, that when " grey hairs are nigh",
Thy youthful " thoughts and feelings may not die",
While no new fount springs up to bring a fresh supply.

3

Toil not for Earth's " low things" as for an end
Tow'rd which thy hopes and aims conveying tend; —
But work that thou may'st fill the largest sphere
Assigned by Heav'n to man's existence here.
Soft dreams, mild cares those manly sinews melt
That for strong ends and strenuous means were dealt.
Pow'rs by inaction shrink — they need the strain
Of some great purpose, fitted to retain
Its place as Life's main beam, round which entwined
The soft light wreaths may hang at will combined. —
Begin ! — for soon the evening clouds descend,
Slackening our hands, that fain their work would mend,
And lo then cometh Night, which all our work must end.English