The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott Edited by his Son Edwin Elliott ... A New and Revised Edition: Two Volumes |
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 | The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott |  |
185
NOT FOR NOUGHT.
Do and suffer nought in vain:
Let no trifle trifling be:
If the salt of life is pain,
Let ev'n wrongs bring good to thee;
Good to others, few or many;
Good to all, or good to any.
Let no trifle trifling be:
If the salt of life is pain,
Let ev'n wrongs bring good to thee;
Good to others, few or many;
Good to all, or good to any.
If men curse thee, plant their lies
Where, for truth, they best may grow;
Let the railers make thee wise,
Preaching peace, where'er thou go:
God no useless plant hath planted,
Evil (wisely used) is wanted.
Where, for truth, they best may grow;
Let the railers make thee wise,
Preaching peace, where'er thou go:
God no useless plant hath planted,
Evil (wisely used) is wanted.
If the nation-feeding corn
Thriveth under icèd snow;
If the small bird, on the thorn,
Useth well its guarded sloe;
Bid thy cares thy comforts double;
Gather fruit from thorns of trouble.
Thriveth under icèd snow;
If the small bird, on the thorn,
Useth well its guarded sloe;
Bid thy cares thy comforts double;
Gather fruit from thorns of trouble.
See the Rivers! how they run
Strong in gloom, and strong in light!
Like the never-wearied sun,
Through the day, and through the night,
Each along his path of duty,
Turning coldness into beauty!
Strong in gloom, and strong in light!
Like the never-wearied sun,
Through the day, and through the night,
Each along his path of duty,
Turning coldness into beauty!
| The Poetical Works of Ebenezer Elliott | |