Classic Poem

THE HUSBANDMEN

Though God, as one that is an householder,
 Called these to labour in His vineyard first,
 Before the husk of darkness was well burst
Bidding them grope their way out and bestir,
(Who, questioned of their wages, answered, ‘Sir,
 Unto each man a penny’:) though the worst
 Burthen of heat was theirs and the dry thirst:
Though God has since found none such as these were
To do their work like them:—Because of this
 Stand not ye idle in the market-place.
  Which of ye knoweth he is not that last
Who may be first by faith and will?—yea, his
 The hand which after the appointed days
  And hours shall give a Future to their Past?