In field or forest, at the desk or loom.
In roaring market-place or tranquil
room:
Let me but find it in my heart to say,
When vagrant wishes beckon me astray:
"This is my work: my blessing, not my
doom;
Of all who live, I am the one by whom
This work can best be done in the right
way."
Then shall I see it not too great, no small,
To suit my spirit and to prove my
powers;
Then shall I cheerful greet the laboring
hours,
And cheerful turn when the long shadows
fall
At eventide, to play and love and rest,
Because I know for me my work is best.
--Henry Van Dyke.
