III. THE HUSBANDMEN

Though God, as one that is an householder,

Called these to labour in his vine-yard first,

Before the husk of darkness was well burst

Bidding them grope their way out and bestir,

( Who, questioned of their wages, answered,‘ Sir,

Unto each man a penny:’ ) though the worst

Burthen of heat was theirs and the dry thirst:

Though God hath since found none such as these were

To do their work like them:— Because of this

Stand not ye idle in the market-place.

Which of ye knoweth he is not that last

Who may be first by faith and will?— yea, his

The hand which after the appointed days

And hours shall give a Future to their Past?