 | Stones from The Quarry |  |
74
OCCUPATION.
Of all the shapes Protean the Devil takes,The worst is Idleness. Here largest scope
For wickedness, the widest door doth ope
For sin; tho' just ajar, she by it makes
Her entrance, and, once in, possession takes.
Possession “nine points of the law,” with hope
Strong of the tenth, is: give an inch of rope
She'll hang you with it; bind you, like a snake's
Close cincture, hand and foot. Give her no place,
Then, in thy thoughts; insidious thief, thy heart
She then beguiles and lulls in her embrace.
Let her not take thy hand and lead apart
In dalliance; but with blessing and with grace
Of labour earn thy bread, and make life's start.
| Stones from The Quarry | |