Classic Poem

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!