RURAL AMERICA 



the drudgery in his own work but sees only the brighter side 

 of the other fellow's work. But drudgery is always asso- 

 ciated with exhilaration: the pendulum swings just as far 

 one way as it does the other. If one submits to a good deal 

 of drudgery the compensation lies in the marvelous spiritual 

 rebound of a mountain-top variety. 



In a little poem entitled " Drudgery Divine " Juliet Sill 

 gives utterance to some inspiring thoughts on this subject: 



O bumblebee, on the red-topped clover, 

 Aren't you tired, you busy rover, 

 Of doing the same thing over and over? 

 Gathering honey all day long, 

 Singing the same little humming song, 

 Aren't you tired, you golden rover, 

 Of doing the same things over and over? 



O little bird with the crimson breast, 

 Aren't you tired of building the nest? 

 Isn't it time to stop and rest? 



Straw after straw you patiently bring, 



Song after song you cheerily sing, 

 O little bird, in the crimson vest, 

 Isn't it time to take a rest? 



O busy heart, O toiling mother, 



Aren't you tired of work and of bother, 



The same dull task and never another? 



Over and over you brew and bake, 



Over and over you mend and make, 

 Aren't you tired, O weary mother, 

 Of the same dull round and never another? 



Then low from the heart of the bee and the bird, 

 And low from the heart of the mother this word, 

 Sweet and calm and dear I heard : 

 Over and over God paints the skies, 

 Over and over He makes the sun rise, 

 Over and over He tints the flowers, 

 Over and over He sends the showers, 

 Over and over He guides the stars, 

 Over and over the dawn unbars. 



101 



