 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
The Laborer
Father, I thank Thee that the day begins,And I within thy vineyard too am sent;
That I may struggle on against my sins,
And seek to double what to me is lent;
Thou chast'nest me with false upbraiding word;
From many a heart I'm rudely thrust away;
That has not of the man of sorrows heard,
Nor at thy inner temple learned to pray;
Yet so the peace of Christ Thou mak'st me know,
And in his sufferings rise at last to Thee;
From glory on to glory still to go,
Till I in him from all that binds me free
Have fought the fight, the life Thou giv'st laid down,
And at his hand received the robe and kingly crown.
Poem No. 121; late 1838–early 1839
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |