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6Pardon, O Lord, our childish rage,
our little brawls remove,
That, as we grow to riper age,
our hearts may all be love.
our little brawls remove,
That, as we grow to riper age,
our hearts may all be love.
XVII.—Against Idleness and Mischief.
1How doth the little busy bee
improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
from every opening flower.
improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
from every opening flower.
2How skilfully she builds her cell!
how neat she spreads her wax!
And labours hard to store it well
with the sweet food she makes.
how neat she spreads her wax!
And labours hard to store it well
with the sweet food she makes.
3In works of labour, or of skill,
I would be busy too:
For Satan finds some mischief still
for idle hands to do.
I would be busy too:
For Satan finds some mischief still
for idle hands to do.
4In books, or works, or healthful play
let my first years be past,
That I may give for every day
some good account at last.
let my first years be past,
That I may give for every day
some good account at last.
XIII.—Against Evil Company.
1Why should I join with those in ⟨play⟩
in whom I've no delight,
Who curse and swear, but never pray
who call ill names, and fight.
in whom I've no delight,
Who curse and swear, but never pray
who call ill names, and fight.
