1031.

Howe'er they roam, the world must follow still the plougher's team;

Though toilsome, culture of the ground as noblest toil esteem.

1032.

The ploughers are the linch-pin of the world; they bear

Them up who other works perform, too weak its toils to share.

1033.

Who ploughing eat their food, they truly live;

The rest to others bend subservient, eating what they give.

1034.

O'er many a land they'll see their monarch reign,

Whose fields are shaded by the waving grain.

1035.

They nothing ask from others, but to askers give,

Who raise with their own hands the food on which they live.

1036.

For those who've left what all men love no place is found,

When they with folded hands remain who till the ground.

1037.

Reduce your soil to that dry state

When ounce is quarter-ounce's weight;

Without one handful of manure,

Abundant crops you thus secure.

1038.

To cast manure is better than to plough;

Weed well; to guard is more than watering now.

1039.

When master from the field aloof hath stood;

Then land will sulk, like wife in angry mood.

1040.

The earth, that kindly dame, will laugh to see,

Men seated idle pleading poverty.