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 LL the day long have I laboured, my Father, my Father, Sent by thy word from thy presence to serve afar off; Now it is ended, and all is as dead leaves before thee; Waste is my toil, and my hope, and my joy and reward. Only my bitterness have I to bring thee, my Father ; Yet, for my needs' sake, I pray thee, bless me, even me. Rugged and heavy of speech am I, Father, my Father: E'en for another I could not plead smoothly and well; And for myself I am dumb, O my Father, my Father, Dumb as a beast that is smitten and can but be still. Yet hast thou known me and loved me of old, O my Father, Now, for thy love's sake, I pray thee, bless me, even me.