[To Mr. Charles H. Ham, author of “Manual Training”.]
“LABOR the law of life,” that is your creed;
Once it was true that art meant only grace,
“A pretty flower this is,” “a glorious face,”
Men said, and so interpreting, did heed
No higher call than came from shepherd’s reed:
The brawny arm was for the warrior’s mace,
The supple limb was for the champion’s race,
But higher, better things were lost indeed!
Now, in this newer day, what change is wrought!
We know the law of life is labor; so
The hand and mind in unison are taught,
With each the other’s ready servant. Lo!
What a grand world will swing beneath the sun
When Heart and Hand and Mind are all in one!