Work, the Power that drives behind, Oh, what is so good as the pain of it, Work! Thank God for the swing of it, For the clamoring, hammering ring of it, On the mighty anvils of the world. Rending a continent apart, To answer the dream of the Master heart. Thank God for a world where none may shirk- From "The Hour Has Struck," Angela Morgan. HOW DID YOU DIE? Grant at Ft. Donelson demanded unconditional and immediate surrender. At Appomattox he offered as lenient terms as victor ever extended to vanquished. Why the difference? The one event was at the beginning of the war, when the enemy's morale must be shaken. The other was at the end of the conflict, when a brave and noble adversary had been rendered helpless. In his quiet way Grant showed himself one of nature's gentlemen. He also taught a great lesson. No honor can be too great for the man, be he even our foe, who has steadily and uncomplainingly done his very best-and has failed. you tackle that trouble that came your way DID tackle With a resolute heart and cheerful? Or hide your face from the light of day With a craven soul and fearful? Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce, Or a trouble is what you make it, And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts, You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that! It's nothing against you to fall down flat, But to lie there-that's disgrace. The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce; Be proud of your blackened eye! It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts; It's how did you fight-and why? And though you be done to the death, what then? If you played your part in the world of men, Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce, It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts, From "Impertinent Poems," Dodge Publishing Co. Edmund Vance Cooke. A LESSON FROM HISTORY To break the ice of an undertaking is difficult. To cross on broken ice, as Eliza did to freedom, or to row amid floating ice, as Washington did to victory, is harder still. This poem applies especially to those who are discouraged in a struggle to which they are already committed. VERYTHING'S easy after it's done; EV Every battle's a "cinch" that's won; Though the river was full of ice Being human, same as you, And Washington crossed the Delaware! So when you're with trouble beset, Joseph Morris. RABBI BEN EZRA To some people success is everything, and the easier it is gained the better. To Browning success is nothing unless it is won by painful effort. What Browning values is struggle. Throes, rebuffs, even failure to achieve what we wish, are to be welcomed, for the effects of vigorous endeavor inweave themselves into our characters; moreover through struggle we lift ourselves from the degradation into which the indolent fall. In the intervals of strife we may look back dispassionately upon what we have gone through, see where we erred and where we did wisely, watch the workings of universal laws, and resolve to apply hereafter what we have hitherto learned. HEN, welcome each rebuff THE welcome That turns earth's smoothness rough, Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand but go! Strive, and hold cheap the strain; Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge For thence, a paradox Which comforts while it mocks, Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail: And was not, comforts me: A brute I might have been, but would not sink i' the scale. So, still within this life, Though lifted o'er its strife, Let me discern, compare, pronounce at last, That_acquiescence vain: The Future I may face now I have proved the For more is not reserved To man, with soul just nerved To act to-morrow what he learns to-day: The Master work, and catch Hints of the proper craft, tricks of the tool's Robert Browning. TO MELANCHOLY The last invitation anybody would accept is "Come, let us weep together." If we keep melancholy at our house, we should be careful to have it under lock and key, so that no one will observe it. ME [ELANCHOLY, I've no use for you, by Golly! Not for that I mean to hoard you, With your sniffling, snuffling folly, Howling, Melancholy. Permission of the Author. John Kendrick Bangs. |