Keep true my word, a sacred thing,
Keep from the snares the tempters bring.
Keep faith with each I call a friend,
Keep full in view the final end.
Keep firm my courage, bold and strong,
Keep up the right and down the wrong.
Keep well the words of wisdom’s school,
Keep warm by night, by day keep cool.
My Symphony.
“To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never;—in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.”