Pensioner of life, be wise, and heed a brother's counsel;
I also am a beadsman, with scrip and staff as thou:
Wouldest thou be bold against the past, and all its evil memories,
Wouldest thou be safe amid the present, its dangers and temptations,
Wouldest thou be hopeful of the future, vague though it be and endless?
Haste thee, repent, believe, obey! thou standest in the courage of a legion.
Commend the Past to God, with all its irrevocable harm,
Humbly, but in cheerful trust, and banish vain regrets;
Come to Him, continually come, casting all the Present at His feet,
Boldly, but in prayerful love, and fling off selfish cares;