  Work! use all thy will, give all thy might, Ply all thy strength, Until the golden dawn of early light Shall change at length Into deep purple shades, soft, pure and bright, That bring glad tidings of the peaceful night. Work! while the subtle seasons onward roll In certain course, The ways of this frail world to help control; That keen remorse In life’s last moment—’ere thy deeds unroll May strike no sudden anguish to thy soul. Work! taking lessons from the mighty Past, What men have done; Yet let not those old masters hold thee fast, They have begun; What later souls must finish. They have cast The first stones at earth’s evil—not the last. Work! but seek not false Ambition’s flame To light thee on; Not so the men of wisdom ever came In days long gone; No sordid dream,—no bare desire for Fame Has left on Memory’s lips one worthy name. Work! in the hope of sowing seedlings great; Let others reap,— That, when stern Nature bids thy step abate, Thy body sleep, Thy soul shall tremble not at Death’s dark gate, But calm and sure shall meet its After-Fate. |
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