Classic Poem

'Tis Providence that took the child away:
You must submit in patience to his laws. "
Rather is this the thing that you should say, —
" Rise up; learn better, and remove the cause! "

Insult not Providence, nor God accuse
For ignorance and carelessness your own
If you t' ignore life's fair conditions choose,
Bring no complaint before the all-loving throne.

Your self-indulgence and your idleness,
Your own neglect the laws of health t' obey, —
These are the seed of your life-long distress,
And these the fountain of your tears to-day.

Not always: for some other may have sown
This seed whose bitter fruit grew while you slept;
But God is just; and, at the last, your own —
Only what you have planted — shall be reapt.