Page:The Village - Crabbe (1783).djvu/17

 See them alternate suns and showers engage, And hoard up aches and anguish for their age; Thro' fens and marshy moors their steps pursue, When their warm pores imbibe the evening dew; Then own that labour may as fatal be To these thy slaves, as luxury to thee.

Amid this tribe too oft a manly pride Strives in strong toil the fainting heart to hide; There may you see the youth of slender frame Contend with weakness, weariness, and shame; Yet urg'd along, and proudly loth to yield, He strives to join his fellows of the field; Till long contending nature droops at last, Declining health rejects his poor repast, His cheerless spouse the coming danger sees, And mutual murmurs urge the slow disease. Rh