University of Virginia Library

VERSICLES.

[What is the watchword of the coming ages?]

What is the watchword of the coming ages?
What law their master spirits will control?
This—‘Serve Humanity with heart and soul,
And, having done thy duty, ask no wages.’

[Content thee to obey: thou would'st not tread]

Content thee to obey: thou would'st not tread
With step as firm in leading as when led.

[‘How to be happy?’—smiling, spoke the sage—]

‘How to be happy?’—smiling, spoke the sage—
‘Most miss the way, yet never cease the quest.
Here is the secret—still, from youth to age,
Keep one beloved image in thy breast.’

[When in a man the flower of courtesy]

When in a man the flower of courtesy
And reverence for the better sex you see,
‘Sweet-natured was his mother,’ boldly say,
‘Or else, ’tis certain, Love has pass'd his way.’

[Each nation master at its own fireside—]

Each nation master at its own fireside—
The claim is just, and so one day 'twill be;
But a wise race the time of fruit will bide,
Nor pluck th' unripen'd apple from the tree.

[Live for thyself, thy pleasure and thy gain]

Live for thyself, thy pleasure and thy gain,
And with thee ne'er will Happiness abide:
But serve thy fellows and relieve their pain,
And she will steal, unbidden, to thy side.

[The Records of the Time each morning bring]

The Records of the Time each morning bring
Some mournful tale of human suffering;
And, as I daily pace the crowded street,
How many careworn faces do I meet!
Could we of each the secret story know,
That, sure, were an Apocalypse of woe.
Oh! melt, hard heart! thy brethren's sorrows feel,
And soothe and comfort, if thou canst not heal.

[‘How sacred is this place,’ in awe I cried]

‘How sacred is this place,’ in awe I cried,
Pacing the mighty temple's glorious nave;
And then, methought, an inner voice replied—
‘Sacred indeed—and other things beside,
The household hearth, the cradle, and the grave.’

[The thoughts that wait upon the uninspired]

The thoughts that wait upon the uninspired
Are by laborious effort drawn from far;
To him who sings with inborn fervour fired
They come spontaneous and say, ‘Here we are.’

[As down the westward slope of life we move]

As down the westward slope of life we move,
Shapes from the past our daily steps attend.
So live, that memory in thy age may prove
No dread intruder, but a welcome friend.

[Fain would I serve my brethren. How shall I]

Fain would I serve my brethren. How shall I
Hasten the advent of the golden year?
And a voice answer'd—‘Do not strive or cry,
But whisper truths into thy neighbour's ear.’

[Be not too much exalted, if to-day]

Be not too much exalted, if to-day
Strong winds of faith bear up thy spirit's wings;
Soon the high passion will have pass'd away,
And thy soul stumble among worldly things.

[Despair not, if thy spirit-fire burns low]

Despair not, if thy spirit-fire burns low,
Nor think its ardour will return no more;
Soon thy heart's altar once again will glow,
And the flame tremble upward as before.

[‘These thoughts are old.’ True; but each race of men]

‘These thoughts are old.’ True; but each race of men
In its own way must think them o'er again.