601.

Of household dignity the lustre beaming bright,

Flickers and dies when sluggish foulness dims its light.

602.

Let indolence, the death of effort, die,

If you'd uphold your household's dignity

603.

Who fosters indolence within his breast, the silly elf!

The house from which he springs shall perish ere himself.

604.

His family decays, and faults unheeded thrive,

Who, sunk in sloth, for noble objects doth not strive.

605.

Delay, oblivion, sloth, and sleep: these four

Are pleasure-boat to bear the doomed to ruin's shore.

606.

Though lords of earth unearned possessions gain,

The slothful ones no yield of good obtain.

607.

Who hug their sloth, nor noble works attempt,

Shall hear reproofs and words of just contempt.

608.

If sloth a dwelling find mid noble family,

Bondsmen to them that hate them shall they be.

609.

Who changes slothful habits saves

Himself from all that household rule depraves.

610.

The king whose life from sluggishness is rid,

Shall rule o'er all by foot of mighty [conqueror] bestrid.