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The Thresher’s Labour

1 To the Revd. Mr. STANLEY. Leave a comment on line 1 0

2 THE grateful Tribute of these rural Lays, Leave a comment on line 2 0
3 Which to her Patron’s Hand the Muse conveys, Leave a comment on line 3 0
4 Deign to accept: ’Tis just she Tribute bring Leave a comment on line 4 0
5 To him, whose Bounty gives her Life to sing; Leave a comment on line 5 0
6 To him, whose gen’rous Favours tune her Voice; Leave a comment on line 6 0
7 And bid her, ’midst her Poverty, rejoice. Leave a comment on line 7 0
8 Inspir’d by these, she dares herself prepare, Leave a comment on line 8 0
9 To sing the Toils of each revolving Year; Leave a comment on line 9 0
10 Those endless Toils, which always grow anew, Leave a comment on line 10 0
11 And the poor Thresher’s destin’d to pursue: Leave a comment on line 11 0
12 Ev’n these, with Pleasure, can the Muse rehearse, Leave a comment on line 12 0
13 When you and Gratitude demand her Verse. Leave a comment on line 13 0

14 SOON as the golden Harvest quits the Plain, Leave a comment on line 14 0
15 And CERES’ Gifts reward the Farmer’s Pain; Leave a comment on line 15 0
16 What Corn each Sheaf will yield, intent to hear, Leave a comment on line 16 0
17 And guess from thence the Profits of the Year, Leave a comment on line 17 0
18 He calls his Reapers forth: Around we stand, Leave a comment on line 18 0
19 With deep Attention, waiting his Command. Leave a comment on line 19 0
20 To each our Task he readily divides, Leave a comment on line 20 0
21 And pointing, to our diff’rent Stations guides. Leave a comment on line 21 0
22 As he directs, to distant Barns we go; Leave a comment on line 22 0
23 Here two for Wheat, and there for Barley two. Leave a comment on line 23 0
24 But first, to shew what he expects to find, Leave a comment on line 24 0
25 These Words, or Words like these, disclose his Mind: Leave a comment on line 25 0

26 “So dry the Corn was carry’d from the Field, Leave a comment on line 26 0
27 “So easily ’twill thresh, so well ’twill yield; Leave a comment on line 27 0
28 “Sure large Days-works I well may hope for now: Leave a comment on line 28 0
29 “Come, strip and try; let’s see what you can do.” Leave a comment on line 29 0

30 DIVESTED of our Cloathes, with Flail in Hand, Leave a comment on line 30 0
31 At proper Distance, Front to Front we stand: Leave a comment on line 31 0
32 And first the Threshal’s gently swung, to prove Leave a comment on line 32 0
33 Whether with just Exactness it will move: Leave a comment on line 33 0
34 That once secure, we swiftly whirl them round; Leave a comment on line 34 0
35 From the strong Planks our Crab-tree Staves rebound, Leave a comment on line 35 0
36 And echoing Barns return the rattling Sound. Leave a comment on line 36 0
37 Now in the Air our knotty Weapons fly, Leave a comment on line 37 0
38 And now with equal Force descend from high; Leave a comment on line 38 0
39 Down one, one up, so well they keep the Time, Leave a comment on line 39 0
40 The CYCLOPS’ Hammers could not truer chime; Leave a comment on line 40 0
41 Nor with more heavy Strokes could Aetna groan, Leave a comment on line 41 0
42 When VULCAN forg’d the Arms for THETIS’ Son. Leave a comment on line 42 0
43 In briny Streams our Sweat descends apace, Leave a comment on line 43 0
44 Drops from our Locks, or trickles down our Face. Leave a comment on line 44 0
45 No Intermission in our Work we know; Leave a comment on line 45 0
46 The noisy Threshal must for ever go. Leave a comment on line 46 0
47 Their Master absent, others safely play; Leave a comment on line 47 0
48 The sleeping Threshal does itself betray. Leave a comment on line 48 0
49 Nor yet, the tedious Labour to beguile, Leave a comment on line 49 0
50 And make the passing Minutes sweetly smile, Leave a comment on line 50 0
51 Can we, like Shepherds, tell a merry Tale; Leave a comment on line 51 0
52 The Voice is lost, drown’d by the louder Flail. Leave a comment on line 52 0
53 But we may think — Alas! what pleasing thing, Leave a comment on line 53 0
54 Here, to the Mind, can the dull Fancy bring? Leave a comment on line 54 0
55 Our Eye beholds no pleasing Object here, Leave a comment on line 55 0
56 No chearful Sound diverts our list’ning Ear. Leave a comment on line 56 0
57 The Shepherd well may tune his Voice to sing, Leave a comment on line 57 0
58 Inspir’d with all the Beauties of the Spring. Leave a comment on line 58 0
59 No Fountains murmur here, no Lambkins play, Leave a comment on line 59 0
60 No Linnets warble, and no Fields look gay; Leave a comment on line 60 0
61 ’Tis all a gloomy, melancholy Scene, Leave a comment on line 61 0
62 Fit only to provoke the Muse’s Spleen. Leave a comment on line 62 0
63 When sooty Pease we thresh, you scarce can know Leave a comment on line 63 0
64 Our native Colour, as from Work we go. Leave a comment on line 64 0
65 The Sweat, the Dust, and suffocating Smoak, Leave a comment on line 65 0
66 Make us so much like Ethiopians look, Leave a comment on line 66 0
67 We scare our Wives, when Ev’ning brings us home; Leave a comment on line 67 0
68 And frighted Infants think the Bugbear come. Leave a comment on line 68 0
69 Week after Week, we this dull Task pursue, Leave a comment on line 69 0
70 Unless when winn’wing Days produce a new: Leave a comment on line 70 0
71 A new, indeed, but frequently a worse! Leave a comment on line 71 0
72 The Threshal yields but to the Master’s Curse. Leave a comment on line 72 0
73 He counts the Bushels, counts how much a Day; Leave a comment on line 73 0
74 Then swears we’ve idled half our Time away: Leave a comment on line 74 0
75 “Why, look ye, Rogues, d’ye think that this will do? Leave a comment on line 75 0
76 “Your Neighbours thresh as much again as you.” Leave a comment on line 76 0
77 Now in our Hands we wish our noisy Tools, Leave a comment on line 77 0
78 To drown the hated Names of Rogues and Fools. Leave a comment on line 78 0
79 But wanting these, we just like School-boys look, Leave a comment on line 79 0
80 When angry Masters view the blotted Book: Leave a comment on line 80 0
81 They cry,”their Ink was faulty, and their Pen;” Leave a comment on line 81 0
82 We,”the Corn threshes bad, ’twas cut too green.” Leave a comment on line 82 0

83 BUT soon as Winter hides his hoary Head, Leave a comment on line 83 0
84 And Nature’s Face is with new Beauty spread; Leave a comment on line 84 0
85 The lovely Spring appears, refreshing Show’rs Leave a comment on line 85 0
86 New cloath the Field with Grass, and blooming Flow’rs. Leave a comment on line 86 0
87 Next her, the rip’ning Summer presses on, Leave a comment on line 87 0
88 And SOL begins his longest Race to run. Leave a comment on line 88 0
89 Before the Door our welcome Master stands; Leave a comment on line 89 0
90 Tells us, the ripen’d Grass requires our Hands. Leave a comment on line 90 0
91 The grateful Tidings presently imparts Leave a comment on line 91 0
92 Life to our Looks, and Spirits to our Hearts. Leave a comment on line 92 0
93 We wish the happy Season may be fair; Leave a comment on line 93 0
94 And, joyful, long to breathe in op’ner Air. Leave a comment on line 94 0
95 This Change of Labour seems to give such Ease, Leave a comment on line 95 0
96 With Thoughts of Happiness ourselves we please. Leave a comment on line 96 0
97 But, ah! how rarely’s Happiness complete! Leave a comment on line 97 0
98 There’s always Bitter mingled with the Sweet. Leave a comment on line 98 0
99 When first the Lark sings Prologue to the Day, Leave a comment on line 99 0
100 We rise, admonish’d by his early Lay; Leave a comment on line 100 0
101 This new Employ with eager Haste to prove, Leave a comment on line 101 0
102 This new Employ, become so much our Love. Leave a comment on line 102 0
103 Alas! that human Joys should change so soon! Leave a comment on line 103 0
104 Our Morning Pleasure turns to Pain at Noon. Leave a comment on line 104 0
105 The Birds salute us, as to Work we go, Leave a comment on line 105 0
106 And with new Life our Bosoms seem to glow. Leave a comment on line 106 0
107 On our right Shoulder hangs the crooked Blade, Leave a comment on line 107 0
108 The Weapon destin’d to uncloath the Mead: Leave a comment on line 108 0
109 Our left supports the Whetstone, Scrip, and Beer; Leave a comment on line 109 0
110 This for our Scythes, and these ourselves to chear. Leave a comment on line 110 0
111 And now the Field, design’d to try our Might, Leave a comment on line 111 0
112 At length appears, and meets our longing Sight. Leave a comment on line 112 0
113 The Grass and Ground we view with careful Eyes, Leave a comment on line 113 0
114 To see which way the best Advantage lies; Leave a comment on line 114 0
115 And, Hero-like, each claims the foremost Place. Leave a comment on line 115 0
116 At first our Labour seems a sportive Race: Leave a comment on line 116 0
117 With rapid Force our sharpen’d Blades we drive, Leave a comment on line 117 0
118 Strain ev’ry Nerve, and Blow for Blow we give. Leave a comment on line 118 0
119 All strive to vanquish, tho’ the Victor gains Leave a comment on line 119 0
120 No other Glory, but the greatest Pains. Leave a comment on line 120 0

121 BUT when the scorching Sun is mounted high, Leave a comment on line 121 0
122 And no kind Barns with friendly Shade are nigh; Leave a comment on line 122 0
123 Our weary Scythes entangle in the Grass, Leave a comment on line 123 0
124 While Streams of Sweat run trickling down apace. Leave a comment on line 124 0
125 Our sportive Labour we too late lament; Leave a comment on line 125 0
126 And wish that Strength again, we vainly spent. Leave a comment on line 126 0

127 THUS, in the Morn, a Courser have I seen Leave a comment on line 127 0
128 With headlong Fury scour the level Green; Leave a comment on line 128 0
129 Or mount the Hills, if Hills are in his Way, Leave a comment on line 129 0
130 As if no Labour could his Fire allay; Leave a comment on line 130 0
131 Till PHOEBUS, shining with meridian Heat, Leave a comment on line 131 0
132 Has bath’d his panting Sides in briny Sweat: Leave a comment on line 132 0
133 The lengthen’d Chace scarce able to sustain, Leave a comment on line 133 0
134 He measures back the Hills and Dales with Pain. Leave a comment on line 134 0

135 WITH Heat and Labour tir’d, our Scythes we quit, Leave a comment on line 135 0
136 Search out a shady Tree, and down we sit: Leave a comment on line 136 0
137 From Scrip and Bottle hope new Strength to gain; Leave a comment on line 137 0
138 But Scrip and Bottle too are try’d in vain. Leave a comment on line 138 0
139 Down our parch’d Throats we scarce the Bread can get; Leave a comment on line 139 0
140 And, quite o’erspent with Toil, but faintly eat. Leave a comment on line 140 0
141 Nor can the Bottle only answer all; Leave a comment on line 141 0
142 The Bottle and the Beer are both too small. Leave a comment on line 142 0
143 Time flows: Again we rise from off the Grass; Leave a comment on line 143 0
144 Again each Mower takes his proper Place; Leave a comment on line 144 0
145 Not eager now, as late, our Strength to prove; Leave a comment on line 145 0
146 But all contented regular to move. Leave a comment on line 146 0
147 We often whet, and often view the Sun; Leave a comment on line 147 0
148 As often wish, his tedious Race was run. Leave a comment on line 148 0
149 At length he veils his purple Face from Sight, Leave a comment on line 149 0
150 And bids the weary Labourer Good-night. Leave a comment on line 150 0
151 Homewards we move, but spent so much with Toil, Leave a comment on line 151 0
152 We slowly walk, and rest at ev’ry Stile. Leave a comment on line 152 0
153 Our good expecting Wives, who think we stay, Leave a comment on line 153 0
154 Got to the Door, soon eye us in the Way. Leave a comment on line 154 0
155 Then from the Pot the Dumplin’s catch’d in haste, Leave a comment on line 155 0
156 And homely by its Side the Bacon plac’d. Leave a comment on line 156 0
157 Supper and Sleep by Morn new Strength supply; Leave a comment on line 157 0
158 And out we set again, our Work to try; Leave a comment on line 158 0
159 But not so early quite, nor quite so fast, Leave a comment on line 159 0
160 As, to our Cost, we did the Morning past. Leave a comment on line 160 0

161 SOON as the rising Sun has drank the Dew, Leave a comment on line 161 0
162 Another Scene is open to our View: Leave a comment on line 162 0
163 Our Master comes, and at his Heels a Throng Leave a comment on line 163 0
164 Of prattling Females, arm’d with Rake and Prong; Leave a comment on line 164 0
165 Prepar’d, whilst he is here, to make his Hay; Leave a comment on line 165 0
166 Or, if he turns his Back, prepar’d to play: Leave a comment on line 166 0
167 But here, or gone, sure of this Comfort still; Leave a comment on line 167 0
168 Here’s Company, so they may chat their Fill. Leave a comment on line 168 0
169 Ah! were their Hands so active as their Tongues, Leave a comment on line 169 0
170 How nimbly then would move the Rakes and Prongs? Leave a comment on line 170 0

171 THE Grass again is spread upon the Ground, Leave a comment on line 171 0
172 Till not a vacant Place is to be found; Leave a comment on line 172 0
173 And while the parching Sun-beams on it shine, Leave a comment on line 173 0
174 The Hay-makers have Time allow’d to dine. Leave a comment on line 174 0
175 That soon dispatch’d, they still sit on the Ground; Leave a comment on line 175 0
176 And the brisk Chat, renew’d, afresh goes round. Leave a comment on line 176 0
177 All talk at once; but seeming all to fear, Leave a comment on line 177 0
178 That what they speak, the rest will hardly hear; Leave a comment on line 178 0
179 Till by degrees so high their Notes they strain, Leave a comment on line 179 0
180 A Stander by can nought distinguish plain. Leave a comment on line 180 0
181 So loud’s their Speech, and so confus’d their Noise, Leave a comment on line 181 0
182 Scarce puzzled ECHO can return the Voice. Leave a comment on line 182 0
183 Yet, spite of this, they bravely all go on; Leave a comment on line 183 0
184 Each scorns to be, or seem to be, outdone. Leave a comment on line 184 0
185 Meanwhile the changing Sky begins to lour, Leave a comment on line 185 0
186 And hollow Winds proclaim a sudden Show’r: Leave a comment on line 186 0
187 The tattling Crowd can scarce their Garments gain, Leave a comment on line 187 0
188 Before descends the thick impetuous Rain; Leave a comment on line 188 0
189 Their noisy Prattle all at once is done, Leave a comment on line 189 0
190 And to the Hedge they soon for Shelter run. Leave a comment on line 190 0

191 THUS have I seen, on a bright Summer’s Day, Leave a comment on line 191 0
192 On some green Brake, a Flock of Sparrows play; Leave a comment on line 192 0
193 From Twig to Twig, from Bush to Bush they fly; Leave a comment on line 193 0
194 And with continu’d Chirping fill the Sky: Leave a comment on line 194 0
195 But, on a sudden, if a Storm appears, Leave a comment on line 195 0
196 Their chirping Noise no longer dins your Ears: Leave a comment on line 196 0
197 They fly for Shelter to the thickest Bush; Leave a comment on line 197 0
198 There silent sit, and All at once is hush. Leave a comment on line 198 0

199 BUT better Fate succeeds this rainy Day, Leave a comment on line 199 0
200 And little Labour serves to make the Hay. Leave a comment on line 200 0
201 Fast as ’Tis cut, so kindly shines the Sun, Leave a comment on line 201 0
202 Turn’d once or twice, the pleasing Work is done. Leave a comment on line 202 0
203 Next Day the Cocks appear in equal Rows, Leave a comment on line 203 0
204 Which the glad Master in safe Ricks bestows. Leave a comment on line 204 0

205 THE spacious Fields we now no longer range; Leave a comment on line 205 0
206 And yet, hard Fate! still Work for Work we change. Leave a comment on line 206 0
207 Back to the Barns we hastily are sent, Leave a comment on line 207 0
208 Where lately so much Time we pensive spent: Leave a comment on line 208 0
209 Not pensive now, we bless the friendly Shade; Leave a comment on line 209 0
210 And to avoid the parching Sun are glad. Leave a comment on line 210 0
211 Yet little Time we in the Shade remain, Leave a comment on line 211 0
212 Before our Master calls us forth again; Leave a comment on line 212 0
213 And says,”For Harvest now yourselves prepare; Leave a comment on line 213 0
214 “The ripen’d Harvést now demands your Care. Leave a comment on line 214 0
215 “Get all things ready, and be quickly drest; Leave a comment on line 215 0
216 “Early next Morn I shall disturb your Rest.” Leave a comment on line 216 0
217 Strict to his Word! for scarce the Dawn appears, Leave a comment on line 217 0
218 Before his hasty Summons fills our Ears. Leave a comment on line 218 0
219 His hasty Summons we obey; and rise, Leave a comment on line 219 0
220 While yet the Stars are glimm’ring in the Skies. Leave a comment on line 220 0
221 With him our Guide we to the Wheat-field go, Leave a comment on line 221 0
222 He to appoint, and we the Work to do. Leave a comment on line 222 0

223 YE Reapers, cast your Eyes around the Field; Leave a comment on line 223 0
224 And view the various Scenes its Beauties yield: Leave a comment on line 224 0
225 Then look again, with a more tender Eye, Leave a comment on line 225 0
226 To think how soon it must in Ruin lie! Leave a comment on line 226 0
227 For, once set in, where-e’er our Blows we deal, Leave a comment on line 227 0
228 There’s no resisting of the well-whet Steel: Leave a comment on line 228 0
229 But here or there, where-e’er our Course we bend, Leave a comment on line 229 0
230 Sure Desolation does our Steps attend. Leave a comment on line 230 0

231 THUS, when Arabia’s Sons, in Hopes of Prey, Leave a comment on line 231 0
232 To some more fertile Country take their Way, Leave a comment on line 232 0
233 How beauteous all Things in the Morn appear! Leave a comment on line 233 0
234 There rural Cots, and pleasant Villa’s here! Leave a comment on line 234 0
235 So many grateful Objects meet the Sight, Leave a comment on line 235 0
236 The ravish’d Eye could willing gaze till Night. Leave a comment on line 236 0
237 But long ere then, where-e’er their Troops have past, Leave a comment on line 237 0
238 These pleasing Prospects lie a gloomy Waste. Leave a comment on line 238 0

239 THE Morning past, we sweat beneath the Sun; Leave a comment on line 239 0
240 And but uneasily our Work goes on. Leave a comment on line 240 0
241 Before us we perplexing Thistles find, Leave a comment on line 241 0
242 And Corn blown adverse with the ruffling Wind. Leave a comment on line 242 0
243 Behind our Master waits; and if he spies Leave a comment on line 243 0
244 One charitable Ear, he grudging cries, Leave a comment on line 244 0
245 “Ye scatter half your Wages o’er the Land.” Leave a comment on line 245 0
246 Then scrapes the Stubble with his greedy Hand. Leave a comment on line 246 0

247 LET those who feast at Ease on dainty Fare, Leave a comment on line 247 0
248 Pity the Reapers, who their Feasts prepare: Leave a comment on line 248 0
249 For Toils scarce ever ceasing press us now; Leave a comment on line 249 0
250 Rest never does, but on the Sabbath, show; Leave a comment on line 250 0
251 And barely that our Masters will allow. Leave a comment on line 251 0
252 Think what a painful Life we daily lead; Leave a comment on line 252 0
253 Each Morning early rise, go late to Bed: Leave a comment on line 253 0
254 Nor, when asleep, are we secure from Pain; Leave a comment on line 254 0
255 We then perform our Labours o’er again: Leave a comment on line 255 0
256 Our mimic Fancy ever restless seems; Leave a comment on line 256 0
257 And what we act awake, she acts in Dreams. Leave a comment on line 257 0
258 Hard Fate! Our Labours ev’n in Sleep don’t cease; Leave a comment on line 258 0
259 Scarce HERCULES e’er felt such Toils as these! Leave a comment on line 259 0

260 BUT soon we rise the bearded Crop again, Leave a comment on line 260 0
261 Soon PHOEBUS’ Rays well dry the golden Grain. Leave a comment on line 261 0
262 Pleas’d with the Scene, our Master glows with Joy; Leave a comment on line 262 0
263 Bids us for Carrying all our Force employ; Leave a comment on line 263 0
264 When strait Confusion o’er the Field appears, Leave a comment on line 264 0
265 And stunning Clamours fill the Workmens Ears; Leave a comment on line 265 0
266 The Bells and clashing Whips alternate sound, Leave a comment on line 266 0
267 And rattling Waggons thunder o’er the Ground. Leave a comment on line 267 0
268 The Wheat, when carry’d, Pease, and other Grain, Leave a comment on line 268 0
269 We soon secure, and leave a fruitless Plain; Leave a comment on line 269 0
270 In noisy Triumph the last Load moves on, Leave a comment on line 270 0
271 And loud Huzza’s proclaim the Harvest done. Leave a comment on line 271 0

272 OUR Master, joyful at the pleasing Sight, Leave a comment on line 272 0
273 Invites us all to feast with him at Night. Leave a comment on line 273 0
274 A Table plentifully spread we find, Leave a comment on line 274 0
275 And Jugs of humming Ale, to chear the Mind; Leave a comment on line 275 0
276 Which he, too gen’rous, pushes round so fast, Leave a comment on line 276 0
277 We think no Toils to come, nor mind the past. Leave a comment on line 277 0
278 But the next Morning soon reveals the Cheat, Leave a comment on line 278 0
279 When the same Toils we must again repeat; Leave a comment on line 279 0
280 To the same Barns must back again return, Leave a comment on line 280 0
281 To labour there for Room for next Year’s Corn. Leave a comment on line 281 0

282 THUS, as the Year’s revolving Course goes round, Leave a comment on line 282 0
283 No Respite from our Labour can be found: Leave a comment on line 283 0
284 Like SISYPHUS, our Work is never done; Leave a comment on line 284 0
285 Continually rolls back the restless Stone. Leave a comment on line 285 0
286 New-growing Labours still succeed the past; Leave a comment on line 286 0
287 And growing always new, must always last. Leave a comment on line 287 0

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Source: https://c18.sunygeneseoenglish.org/the-threshers-labour/