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8
DIRGE.
1
God said to man, “Arise, and toil,To fill thy soul with good:”
But men said, “No! nor food, nor work:”
I toil'd, and wanted food.
2
All ills that man can bear I bore,With none to see me nigh;
For pain I toil'd, of want I died;
God only saw me die!
3
“Bread, bread for toil!” I ask'd of man,But death for toil he gave:
And now I ask “A little earth!
For famish'd man a grave!”
4
Of God I ask, what God will give,“Rest! till the end shall be:”
Safe in his hands, oh, sweet is rest
To woe-worn men like me!
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