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SONG XX.  
Against Idleness and Mischief.

I.  
HOW doth the little busy Bee  
  Improve each shining Hour,  
And gather Honey all the day  
  From every opening Flower!

II.  
How skilfully she builds her Cell!  
  How neat she spreads the Wax!  
And labours hard to store it well  
  With the sweet Food she makes.

III.  
In works of Labour or of Skill,  
  I would be busy too;  
For Satan finds some Mischief still  
  For idle Hands to do.

IV.  
In Books, or Work, or healthful Play,  
  Let my first years be past,  
That I may give for every Day  
  Some good Account at last.