rk
The failures of the inconstant soul,

Consider not my little worth--
The mean achievement, scamped in act--
The high resolve and low result,
The dream that durst not face the fact.

But count the reach of my desire--
Let this be something in thy sight;
I have not, in the slothful dark,
Forgot the vision and the height.

Neither my body nor my soul
To earth's low ease will yield consent.
I praise thee for the will to strive;
I bless thy goad and discontent.

--Charles G. D. Roberts.

SAY SOMETHING GOOD

When over the fair fame of friend or foe
The shadow of disgrace shall fall, instead
Of words of blame or proof of thus and so,
Let something good be said!

Forget not that no fellow-being yet
May fall so low but love may lift his head;
Even the cheek of shame with tears is wet,
If something good be said.

No generous heart may vainly turn aside
In ways of sympathy; no soul so dead
But may awaken, strong and glorified,
If something good be said.

And so I charge ye, by the thorny crown,
And by the cross on which the Saviour bled,
And by your own soul's hope of fair renown,
Let something good be said!

--James Whitcomb Riley.

WHEN TO BE HAPPY

Why do we cling to the skirts of sorrow?
Why do we cloud with care the brow?
Why do we wait for a glad to-morrow--
Why not gladden the precious Now?
Eden is yours! Would you dwell within it?
Change men's grief to a gracious smile,
And thus have heaven here this minute
And not far-off in the afterwhile.

Life, at most, is a fleeting bubble,
Gone with the puff of an angel's breath.
Why should the dim hereafter trouble
Souls this side of the gates of death?
The crown is yours! Would you care to win it?
Plant a song in the hearts that sigh,
And thus have heaven here this minute
And not far-off in the by-and-by.

Find the soul's high place of beauty,
Not in a man-made book of creeds,
But where desire ennobles duty
And life is full of your kindly deeds.
The bliss is yours! Would you fain begin it?
Pave with love each golden mile,
And thus have heaven here this minute
And not far-off in the afterwhile.

--Nixon Waterman.

Love thyself last: cherish those hearts that h