The Canadian Elocutionist / Designed for the Use of Colleges, Schools and Self Instruction, Together with a Copious Selection in Prose and Poetry of Pieces Adapted for Reading, Recitation and Practice

by Anna K. Howard

Rogers.

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THREE WORDS OF STRENGTH.

There are three lessons I would write—
Three words as with a burning pen,
In tracings of eternal light
Upon the hearts of men.

Have Hope. Though clouds environ round
And gladness hides her face in scorn,
Put off the shadow from thy brow—
No night but hath its morn.

Have Faith. Where'er thy bark is driven—
The calm's disport, the tempest's mirth—
Know this; God rules the hosts of heaven—
The inhabitants of the earth.

Have Love. Not love alone for one,
But man, as man, thy brother call;
And scatter like the circling sun,
Thy charities on all.

Thus grave these lessons on thy soul—
Hope, Faith, and Love—and thou shalt find
Strength, when life's surges rudest roll,
Light, when thou else wert blind.

Schiller.

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