SIX LITTLE WORDS.

Six little words arrest me every day:

I ought, must, can—I will, I dare, I may.

I OUGHT—’tis conscience’ law, divinely writ

Within my heart—the goal I strive to hit.

I MUST—this warns me that my way is barred,

Either by Nature’s law or custom hard.

I CAN—in this is summed up all my might,

Whether to do, or know, or judge aright.

I WILL—my diadem, by the soul imprest

With freedom’s seal—the ruler in my breast.

I DARE—at once a motto for the seal,

And, dare I? barrier ’gainst unlicensed zeal.

I MAY—is final, and at once makes clear

The way which else might vague and dim appear.

I ought, must, can—I will, I dare, I may:

These six words claim attention every day.

Only, through Thee, know I what, every day,

I ought, I must, I can, I will, I dare, I may.

Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh.

FOOTNOTES

[1] We may here refer to the provision of the Acts passed to facilitate the administration of estates under three hundred pounds. Information as to the simple and inexpensive mode of procedure in such cases can be obtained by application to the sheriff-clerks in Scotland, or to the Inland Revenue authorities in England.