Vineyards and shining harvests, pastures, arbors, And all this our very utmost toil Can hardly care for, we wear down our strength Whether in oxen or in men, we dull The edges of our ploughshares, and in return Our fields turn mean and stingy, underfed, And so today the farmer shakes his head, More and more often sighing that his work, The labour of his hands, has come to naught.

Summary

This quote expresses the frustration and disillusionment of farmers who work tirelessly on their land, yet struggle to achieve bountiful harvests. Despite their utmost efforts and the depletion of their resources, such as oxen and manpower, their fields yield meager and insufficient results. As a result, farmers are left disheartened, shaking their heads and lamenting the fruitlessness of their labor. This statement highlights the arduous nature of farming, where hard work may not always guarantee the desired outcomes, leading farmers to question the significance and worthiness of their toil.

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