Industry and Sloth

Insidious sloth her object gains,

If but a hearing she obtains.

A youth ask’d why so long in bed?

“I listen to a cause,” he said;

“As soon as I unclose my eyes.

First industry excites to rise.”

“Up, up,” she says, “to meet the sun,

Your task of yesterday’s undone!”

“Lie still,” cries sloth, “it is not warm,

An hour’s more sleep can do no harm;

You will have time your work to do,

And leisure for amusement too.”