He that holds fast the golden mean, Feels not the wants that pinch the poor, The tallest pines feel most the power The bolts that spare the mountain's side, The well-inform'd philosopher, Soon the sweet Spring comes dancing forth, What if thine heaven be overcast, The dark appearance will not last; The God that strings the silver bow If hindrances obstruct thy way, And let thy strength be seen: But oh, if Fortune fill thy sail -Horace. WILLIAM COWPER, 1731-1800. HASTE NOT: REST NOT. WITHOUT haste! without rest! Bind the motto to thy breast! Bear it with thee as a spell; Storm or sunshine, guard it well! Heed not flowers that round thee bloom; Bear it onward to the tomb! Haste not-let no thoughtless deed Mar for e'er the spirit's speed; Ponder well, and know the right, Rest not! life is sweeping by, When these forms have pass'd away! Haste not! rest not! calmly wait; LIFE'S HIGHER AIMS. No more thus brooding o'er yon heap, With science tread the wondrous way, In social hours indulge thy soul, Where mirth and temperance mix the bowl; Thus taste the feast by nature spread, And scorn! oh! let that scorn be thine! SAMUEL JOHNSON, 1709-1785. DAILY WORK. WHO lags for dread of daily work, A soulless slave-a paltry knave- Who will not give, that he may live, No! let us work! We only ask No feud with rank-with mill or bankNo envy of a lord's estate. If we can earn sufficient store To satisfy our daily need; And can retain, for age and pain, A fraction, we are rich indeed. No dread of toil have we or ours; We know our worth, and weigh our powers; The more we work the more we win : Success to Trade! success to Spade! And to the corn that's coming in! And joy to him who o'er his task Remembers toil is Nature's plan; Who, working, thinks-and never sinks His independence as a man. Who only asks for humblest wealth, Or stroll at setting of the sun : For fair reward, erect and free. These are the men-the best of men These are the men we mean to be! CHARLES MACKAY, 1814 |