Labor and Love

Labor and love! there are no other laws
To rule the liberal action of that soul
Which fate hath set beneath thy brief control,
Or lull the empty fear that racks and gnaws;
Labor! then like a rising moon, the cause
Of life shall light thine hour from pole to pole,
Thou shalt taste health of purpose, and the roll
Of simple joys unwind without a pause.
Love! and thy heart shall cease to question why
Its beating pulse was set to rock and rave;
Find but another heart this side the grave
To soothe and cling to, — thou hast life's reply.
Labor and love! then fade without a sigh,
Submerged beneath the inexorable wave.