Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SLUGGARD, by WALT MASON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SLUGGARD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I heard the sluggard say, when he was
Last Line: Broth.
Subject(s): Advice; Old Age


I HEARD the sluggard say, when he was young and fair, "This is too fine a day,
for labor, I declare. Beside a babbling brook in comfort I'll recline, and read

a helpful book, and make its message mine. The reapers reap their grain, the
farmers bale their hay; and work no doubt seems sane to people built that way.
But better is a dream than any kind of toil, so by the babbling stream I'll read

up Whist on hoyle." I heard the sluggard say, when age had made him blue, "All
through the weary day I wander fro and to; some little job I ask, however small

the wage; most any kind of task, to help me in old age. But for my plea and
groan no sympathy is felt; the hearts of men are stone, and granite will not
melt." Whene'er I see a youth who wastes his golden years, I'd like to push some

truth into his foolish ears. Age is the time to rest beside a babbling brook,
white whiskers on your chest, and in your hands a book. Youth is the time, my
dears, to cut a goodly swath, and your declining years won't find you in the
broth.





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