LABORA

While young, oh brother, plant crops of grain

And do not neglect the soil! Then, when you feel

How body takes stiffness, your soul now drowsy,

It is late already to work: you cannot sow, you cannot harvest.

While in the heart is burning that holy fire,

Which pulls to work and gives so much strength

Because even the feeble and weak can stand as a giant,

Oh work, in order that the fire does not go out.

While you still admire your own ideals, brother,

Reach only for those ideals righteous and high

So hurry! Later you... may disavow it

For a bit of gold, and a spoonful of tasty food.

Read the book of life, page by page,

Without stopping, because sometimes trapped into laziness

You decay; and do not go into the grave

Without leaving a mark: that a person was here.

Oh, if so difficult that work of yours

And strength pines away already, disheartened, disquieted

So take a look at the work of your young friends –

In one glance from new you will be revived.

Translated by Philip Klemka