Thou that in life's crowded city art arrived, thou knowest not how-- By what path or on what errand--list and learn thine errand now. From the palace to the city on the business of thy King Thou wert sent at early morning, to return at evening. Dreamer, waken; loiterer, hasten; what thy task is understand: Thou art here to purchase substance, and the price is in thine hand. Has the tumult of the market all thy sense confused and drowned? Do its glittering wares entice thee, or its shouts and cries confound? Oh, beware lest thy Lord's business be forgotten, while thy gaze Is on every show and pageant which the giddy square displays. Barter not his gold for pebbles; do not trade in vanities; Pearls there are of price and jewels for the purchase of the wise. And know this--at thy returning thou wilt surely find the King With an open book before Him, waiting to make reckoning. Thus large honors will the faithful, earnest service of one day Reap of Him; but one day's folly largest penalties will pay. --Richard Chenevix Trench. Not once or twice in our fair island-story The path of duty was the way to glory. He, that ever following her commands, On with toil of heart and knees and hands, Thro' the long gorge to the far light has won His path upward, and prevailed, Shall find the toppling crags of Duty scaled Are close upon the shining table-lands To which our God himself is moon and sun. --Alfred Tennyson. GO RIGHT ON WORKING Ah, yes! the task is hard, 'tis true, But what's the use of sighing? They're soonest with their duties through Who bravely keep on trying. There's no advantage to be found In sorrowing or shirking; They with success are soonest crowned Who just go right on working. Strive patiently and with a will That shall not be defeated; Keep singing at your task until You see it stand completed. Nor let the clouds of doubt draw near, Your sky's glad sunshine murking; Be brave, and fill your heart with cheer, And just go right on working. --Nixon Waterman. JUSTICE ONLY Be not too proud of good deeds wrought! When thou art come from prayer, speak truly! Even if he wrongeth thee in aught, Respect thy Guru. Give alms duly. But let none wist! Live, day by day, With little and with little swelling Thy tale of duty done--the way The wise ant-people build their dwelling; Not harming any living thing; That thou may'st have--at time of dying-- A Hand to hold thee, and to bring Thy footsteps safe; and, so relying, Pass to the farther world. For none Save Justice leads there! Father, mother, Will not be nigh; nor wife, nor son, Nor friends, nor kin; nor any other