Page:Poems Craik.djvu/35

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LABOR IS PRAYER.
17
Who the world's incessant battle
Cannot understand at all ,
All the mysteries of the churches,
All the troubles of the state,—
Whom child-smiles teach "God is loving,"
And child-coffins, "God is great ":
Laborare est orare:—
We too at His footstool wait.

Laborare est orare;
Hear it, ye of spirit poor,
Who sit crouching at the threshold
While your brethren force the door;
Ye whose ignorance stands wringing
Rough hands, seamed with toil, nor dares
Lift so much as eyes to heaven,—
Lo! all life this truth declares,
Laborare est orare;
And the whole earth rings with prayers.