For Memorizing

All these must first be trampled down
Beneath our feet, if we should gain
In the bright fields of fair renown
The right of eminent domain.

We have not wings, we cannot soar;
But we have feet to scale and climb
By slow degrees, by more and more,
The cloudy summits of our time.

The mighty pyramids of stone

That wedge-like cleave the desert airs, When nearer seen, and better known, Are but gigantic flights of stairs.

The distant mountains, that uprear
Their solid bastions to the skies,
Are crossed by pathways, that appear
As we to higher levels rise.

The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.

Standing on what too long we bore

With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,

We may discern unseen before —
A path to higher destinies.

For Memorizing

Nor deem the irrevocable Past
As wholly wasted, wholly vain,
If, rising on its wrecks, at last
To something nobler we attain.

CONTENTMENT.

I do not own an inch of land,
But all I see is mine ·

The orchard and the mowing-fields,
The lawns and gardens fine.
The winds my tax-collectors are,
They bring me tithes divine-
Wild scents and subtle essences,
A tribute rare and free;
And more magnificent than all,
My window keeps for me
A glimpse of blue immensity-
A little strip of sea.

Richer am I than he who owns
Great fleets and argosies;
I have a share in every ship,

Won by the inland breeze,
To loiter on yon airy road

Above the apple trees.

-Longfellow.

For Memorizing

I freight them all with untold dreams,
Each bears my own picked crew;
And nobler cargoes wait for them

Than India ever knew

My ships that sail into the east
Across that outlet blue.

-Lucy Larcom.

RECESSIONAL.

God of our fathers, known of old ·
Lord of our far-flung battle line –
Beneath whose awful hand we hold

Dominion over palm and pine-
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget-lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies

The Captains and the Kings depart -
Still stands Thine ancient Sacrifice,

An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget-lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away

On dune and headland sinks the fire

Lo, all our pomp of yesterday

Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,

Lest we forget-lest we forget!

For Memorizing

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose

Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe
Such boasting as the Gentiles use,

Or lesser breeds without the Law -
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget-lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard
All valiant dust that builds on dust,

And guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!

Amen.

-Rudyard Kipling.

SOME OLD FAVORITES.

ROBERT OF LINCOLN.

Merrily swinging on briar and weed,
Near to the nest of his little dame,

Over the mountain-side or mead,

Robert of Lincoln is telling his name.
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink,

Snug and safe is this nest of ours,
Hidden among the summer flowers.
Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln is gayly dressed,

Wearing a bright, black wedding-coat;
White are his shoulders, and white his crest,
Hear him call in his merry note,
Bob-o'-link, bob-o'-link,

Spink, spank, spink,

Look what a nice, new coat is mine;
Sure there was never a bird so fine.
Chee, chee, chee.

Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife,

Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings,

Passing at home a patient life,

Broods in the grass while her husband sings,