For this is the way, and the only way—
At least so it seems to me.
It is up to you, to be, and do,
What you look for in others. See?
THE PURPOSE
Over and over the task was set,
Over and over I slighted the work,
But ever and alway I knew that yet
I must face and finish the toil I shirk.
Over and over the whip of pain
Has spurred and punished with blow on blow;
As ever and alway I tried in vain
To shun the labour I hated so.
Over and over I came this way
For just one purpose: O stubborn soul!
Turn with a will to your work to-day,
And learn the lesson of Self-Control.
THE WHITE MAN
Wherever the white man’s feet have trod
(Oh far does the white man stray)
A bold road rifles the virginal sod,
And the forest wakes out of its dream of God,
To yield him the right of way.
For this is the law: By the power of thought,
For worse, or for better, are miracles wrought.
Wherever the white man’s pathway leads,
(Far, far has that pathway gone)
The Earth is littered with broken creeds—
And alway the dark man’s tent recedes,
And the white man pushes on.
For this is the law: Be it good or ill,
All things must yield to the stronger will.
Wherever the white man’s light is shed,
(Oh far has that light been thrown)
Though Nature has suffered and beauty bled,
Yet the goal of the race has been thrust ahead,
And the might of the race has grown.
For this is the law: Be it cruel or kind,
The Universe sways to the power of mind.