Eat What's Set Before You
As children ofttimes we were wont
To criticise and fuss
About the victuals that were cooked
And served by ma to us:
"Too salty" this, and "too sweet" that;
"You've had this twice since Sunday;
You always have what others like,
You might please me just one day."
And so it went till pa would say:—
'Twas meant you could not doubt it—
"Just eat what's set before you and
Say nothin' 'tall about it."
Now we are grown and, seems to me,
Too often we're inclined
To criticise the things Fate gives,
And think this life a grind.
Some things may not just suit our taste,
Some e'en be quite unpleasant;
Someone may get the bigger share
And failure seem e'er present;
But then, let's think of pa's advice:—
It's sound, pray never doubt it—
"Just eat what's set before you and
Say nothin' 'tall about it."
Life's road is rough—but what of that?
The man who'll growls forswear
Will top the hills ahead the crowd
All smiles, with breath to spare.
And so it goes this wide world o'er—
'Tis true for saint and sinner—
The man who silently will "dig"
Will always prove the winner.
That's why I say take pa's advice:—
Try once and you'll not doubt it—
"Just eat what's set before you and
Say nothin' 'tall about it."
