Employment [II]

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He that is weary, let him sit.
  My soul would stirre
And trade in courtesies and wit
  Quitting the furre
To cold complexions needing it.

Man is no starre, but a quick coal
  Of mortall fire:
Who blows it not, nor doth controll
  A faint desire,
Lets his own ashes choke his soul.

When th' elements did for place contest
  With Him, whose will
Ordain'd the highest to be best:
  The earth sat still,
And by the others is opprest.

Life is a businesse, not good cheer;
  Ever in warres.
The sunne still shineth there or here,
  Whereas the starres
Watch an advantage to appeare.

Oh that I were an orenge-tree,
  That busie plant!
Then should I ever laden be,
  And never want
Some fruit for him that dressed me

But we are still too young, or old;
  There man is gone,
Before we do our wares unfold:
  So we freeze on,
Until the grave increase our cold.

© George Herbert