AGAINST IDLENESS AND MISCHIEF.

1 HOW doth the little busy bee
Improve each shining hour,
And gather honey all the day
From every opening flower !
2 How skilfully she builds her cell !
How neat she spreads the wax !
And labours hard to store it well
With the sweet food she makes.
8 In works of labour or of skill
I would be busy too ;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.
4 In books, or work, or healthful play,
Let my first years be past;
That I may give for every day
Some good account at last,
D2