Hymns and Sacred Lyrics | ||
506. Parable 3. Of the Labourers. Matt. xxv.
1
A husbandman, at dawn of day,Men, thus address'd, who idling stray;
“Go, seek my vineyard, and, at eve,
“Each one, a penny shall receive.”
2
At noon, while sultry suns oppress,Others he hired, his vines to dress,
And, at the setting of the sun,
He gave the same to every one.
3
The first men hired, thus, murmuring, cry,“Justice hath sought her native sky:
“We all have borne, without dismay,
“The heat, and burden of the day.”
4
Meekly, the husbandman replied,“Why thus my generous purpose chide?
“That which I promis'd, I fulfil!
“I exercise a sovereign will!”
5
Let none indulge the angry thoughtWho, in the vineyard, long have wrought,
If others, later hired, should find
The same reward from master kind!
6
Let not the Jew indignant feel,If the same Balm should Gentiles heal!
Nor let the longest labourer sigh,
When men, at eve, for mercy cry!
413
7
Though small the joy, the danger great,Th' eleventh hour is not too late!
Come, at the last, though hard the strife,
For hope expires not, but with life!
Hymns and Sacred Lyrics | ||