I am a ploughboy stout and strong
as ever drove a team
And three years since as I lay a bed
I had a dreadful dream
I dreamt I drove my master's team
three horses travelled far
Before a stiff and armoured plough
as all my masters are
I found the ground was baked
so hard 'twas more like bricks than clay
I could not cut my furrow through
nor would my beasts obey
The more I whipped and slashed and
swore the less my horses tried
Dobbin lay down and Belle and Star
ignored my threats and cries
Till low above me appeared a youth
he seemed to hang in air
And all around a dazzling light
which made my eyes to stare
Give over cruel wretch he cried
do not thy beasts abuse
Think if the ground was not so hard
they would their work refuse
Besides I heard thee curse and swear
as if dumb beasts could know
Just what your oaths and cursing meant
it's better far than gold
That you should know that there is one
who knows thy sins full well
And what shall be thy after doom
another shall thee tell
No more he said but light as air
he vanished from my sight
And with him went the sun's bright
beams 'twas all as dark as night
The thunder roared from underground
the earth it seemed to gape
Blue flames broke forth and in those
flames appeared an awful shape
I soon shall call thee mine he cried
with a voice so clear and deep
And quivering like an Aspen leaf
I woke out of my sleep
So ponder well you ploughboys all
this dream that I have told
And if the work goes hard with you
its worth your wage in gold