"What noble self-denial was here, my children,

seen!

What generous self-sacrifice 'neath that humble garb and mien;

For like a flash of light these words make all that life appear,

As when the midnight lightning shows the landscape far and near.

"And its great and noble purpose stands forth to shame the thought,

Whose littleness ne'er comprehends the good in silence wrought;

So, my children, never fail to look upon the brightest side,

Nor wholly trust appearances, for they cannot safely

guide."

JOHN WESTALL

173

DUTY

Neglect in the morning brings sorrow at night;
Work when you should and your work will be light;
Work when you should and all things will be right.
Duty brings peace, like the song of a dove;
Duty is blossom whose rich fruit is love;
Duty is life to the angels above.

Think of this, children, and do every day

Your duty, like heroes, at work or at play;

This makes us like angels,-for this strive and pray.

JOHN WESTALL

174

TRUST IN GOD AND DO THE RIGHT

Courage, brother, do not stumble,

Though thy path be dark as night; There's a star to guide the humble ;— "Trust in God, and do the right."

Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Face it bravely, strong or weary!
"Trust in God, and do the right."

Perish policy and cunning!

Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
"Trust in God, and do the right."

Trust no party, sect, or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
But in every word and action,

"Trust in God, and do the right."

Simple rule, and safest guiding,

Inward peace and inward might,

Star upon our path abiding,

"Trust in God, and do the right."

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;

Cease from man, and look above thee,

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Trust in God, and do the right."

NORMAN MACLEOD

THERE'S WORK ENOUGH TO DO 353

175

THERE'S WORK ENOUGH TO DO

The blackbird early leaves its rest
To meet the smiling morn,
And gather fragments for its nest,
From upland wood and lawn;
The busy bee that wings its way
'Mid sweets of varied hue,

And every flower, would seem to say,
"There's work enough to do."

The cowslip and the spreading vine,
The daisy in the grass,

The snowdrop and the eglantine,

Preach sermons as we pass.
The ant, within its cavern deep,
Would bid us labor, too,
And writes upon his tiny heap,
"There's work enough to do."

Who then can sleep, when all around
Is active, fresh, and free?

Shall man-creation's lord-be found
Less busy than the bee?

Our courts and alleys are the field,
If men would search them through,
That richest sweets of labor yield,

And there's enough to do.

To have a heart for those who weep,
The sottish drunkard win;

To rescue all the children, deep

In ignorance and sin;

To help the poor, the hungry feed,

To give him coat and shoe;

To see that all can write and read—
Is work enough to do.

The time is short-the world is wide,
And much has to be done;

This wondrous earth and all its pride
Will vanish with the sun!

The moments fly on lightning's wings,
And life's uncertain, too;

No time to waste on foolish things

66

There's work enough to do."

ANONYMOUS

176

BE TRUE

Young friends, to whom life's early days

Are bright with promise all,

And to whose view the glowing rays

Of hope unclouded fall;

To counsel each to choose the good,
Throughout the coming years, I would
A precept give to you:

Observe, if you success would win,
The wealth of worth embodied in

Two little words: Be true.

BE TRUE

Be true to Right: let Justice still
Her even balance claim;

Unawed, unbribed, through good or ill,
Make rectitude your aim,

Unswayed by prejudice, your mind
Each day submitted claims will find
To champion or deny;

Then cast, according to your light,
Your influence on the side of right,
Though all the world goes by.

Be true to Truth: the proudest name
That sterling worthy may win
Is soiled and tarnished past reclaim.
Where falsehood enters in.

No gem that arduous toil may find
In learning's field, adorns the mind
Like truth's pure shining ray;
And from her presence error's crowds
Of worshippers disperse like clouds
Before the rising day.

Be true to Reason: let her light

Be ever glorified,

And make through life her beacon bright

A fixed, enduring guide.

False views of life young faith may blind,

False creeds allure the youthful mind

And its adherence win;

But reason's steady light to thee

An oracle of truth shall be,

A monitor within.

355