Young men, you are the architects of your own fortunes. Rely on your own strength of body and soul. Take for your star self-reliance. Energy, invincible determination, with a right motive, are the levers that move the world. Love your God and your fellowmen. Love truth and virtue. Love your country and obey its laws.
PORTER
My Native Land
By Sir Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832): A Scotch poet and novelist. "Marmion," "The Lady of the Lake," and "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" are considered the best of his poems; and of his many novels probably "Ivanhoe" and "Kenilworth" are most read. Children enjoy "The Tales of a Grandfather," stories from Scottish history written for his own little grandson.
This selection is from "The Lay of the Last Minstrel."
1. Breathes there the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
"This is my own, my native land!"
Whose heart hath ne'er within him burned,
As home his footsteps he hath turned
From wandering on a foreign strand?