University of Virginia Library

[Life, after all, is here, and so are we]

Life, after all, is here, and so are we;
There may be something in it. Let us see.

[“No absolute right or wrong: what test?”]

“No absolute right or wrong: what test?”
—“No absolute up or down;
Yet a practical person finds it best
To stand on his feet, not his crown.”

[Have Heaven and Earth given a glad hour to thee?]

Have Heaven and Earth given a glad hour to thee?
Be thankful; store it up in memory.

[Nature's no niggard; if the truth were known]

Nature's no niggard; if the truth were known,
Withholds impossibilities alone.

[When living rightly here below]

When living rightly here below
I have no wish to Heav'n to go.
Whatever be the full design,
That is the Lord's affair, not mine;
Let me but live my best to-day,
And all beyond go as it may.

[The highest-natured men—the Best—]

The highest-natured men—the Best—
Are sole true priesthood for the rest.
Their Holy Orders have been given
To these by no man, but from Heaven.

[Silent the Earth whirls on her way]

Silent the Earth whirls on her way,
Silent the Sun in his burning sway,
Sirius and Lyra, silent are they,
Silent is GOD whom all obey.

[Quick smiles, sharp tears]

Quick smiles, sharp tears,
Short days, long years,
In Childhood's brief eternity;
Where Death or Change cannot be.

[There's plenty of credit in life at first]

There's plenty of credit in life at first,
But all must be paid for, that's the worst.
The worst?—nay rather call it the best;
“Was this world,” said the Arab, “created in jest?”

[Good luck and bad luck come to all]

Good luck and bad luck come to all;
But few see where and when they fall.

[Good luck's no use unless you can]

Good luck's no use unless you can
Use it; it must fit its man.

[Good Luck, the merry rambler, shuns]

Good Luck, the merry rambler, shuns
Some roads, and favours other ones:
Be sure of Luck you can't, but may
Choose for yourself a lucky way.

[Love first, Work second]

Love first, Work second,
Prudence be for third reckon'd.

[Flung out of Dreamland into cold harsh Day]

Flung out of Dreamland into cold harsh Day,
Work and keep warm; there is no other way.

[For bodily or mental food]

For bodily or mental food,
Use whatever does you good.

[The healthy man loves life; you love it not]

The healthy man loves life; you love it not:
Go to your doctor then, and plague us not!

[Let not man, ignorant and weak]

Let not man, ignorant and weak,
To live by endless forecast seek,
But day by day, and hour by hour,
Give, take, what's fairly in his power.

[To what good end shall ear be lent]

To what good end shall ear be lent
To preachers of discouragement?

[In every trouble, say—]

In every trouble, say—
“This too will pass away.”

[How is it that Man's mere phantasy]

How is it that Man's mere phantasy
Finer than any truth can be?

[How easily go things astray!]

How easily go things astray!
“Some impish mischief works” we say,
“Is life's law in a tangle?”—nay;
'Tis we who do not law obey.

[In the midst of labour and folly and strife]

In the midst of labour and folly and strife,
Is somehow hidden the life of Life.

[“All away?”]

“All away?”
Nay, nay!
Something's real, and that doth stay.

Positive truth.

Suppose each mortal comes to nought:
Your total of Humanity,
By calculation fairly wrought,
A countless row of noughts will be.

[Be not impatient, O Soul]

Be not impatient, O Soul;
Thou movest on to thy goal.
Be not full of care;
In the Universe thou hast thy share.
Be not afraid, but trust;
Thou wilt suffer nothing unjust.