  A silent force marks out the course Of every man and woman, No matter what may be the lot Of creatures that are human, The end attained is ever gained By means so strange and hidden, We call it luck, instead of pluck, Or fate by fairies bidden. The human eye cannot descry All workings of the brain; At silent night, it gains a might Which bears a mental train Whose lucid glow may thrones o'erthrow, Or bid new nations rise, May prove some plan whereby proud man May ransack earth and skies. Think not such power a fairy's dower, Or influence from some star, It did not spring from anything Beyond what mortals are. To man is given the keys of heaven If they be rightly used; No being born but must be shorn If blessings are abused. Keep well the trust! Guard it we must, From in and outward foes, Strength will be gained, might be attained By efforts to oppose The secret vice that doth entice To ruin and despair; But he who will hath power to kill Such vice within its lair. Let habits grand the life command And Eden is regained; No future bliss need surpass this If habits are unstained. Let smiling face your presence grace And earth will smile on you, Let from the tongue a song be sung, Its echo will be true, And sing again the same refrain Upon the selfsame key, Till airs elate, reverberate, Heaven's sweetest minstrelsy. If we extend a hand to friend Who needs a brother's care, Though it may hold no purse of gold The act he will revere. Scarce do we know whence comes the glow That duty done e'er gives, Its altar-fire cannot expire— Here and hereafter lives. Such habits then, for gods and men, Are but the means whereby They may prepare to gain their share To mansions in the sky. Sing then a song, its notes prolong, In praise of Habit's power; Let custom be from evil free And it will blessings shower. |
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