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154
[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.
155
[When living rightly here below]
When living rightly here belowI 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.
156
[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 canUse it; it must fit its man.
[Good Luck, the merry rambler, shuns]
Good Luck, the merry rambler, shunsSome 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.
157
[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 lentTo preachers of discouragement?
[In every trouble, say—]
In every trouble, say—“This too will pass away.”
158
[How is it that Man's mere phantasy]
How is it that Man's mere phantasyFiner 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.
159
[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.
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