--_Henry Wadsworth Longfellow_.

By permission of Houghton. Mifflin & Co.

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ONE BY ONE

One by one the sands are flowing,
One by one the moments fall;
Some are coming, some are going;
Do not strive to grasp them all.

One by one thy duties wait thee,
Let thy whole strength go to each;
Let no future dreams elate thee,
Learn thou first what these can teach.

One by one (bright gifts from heaven)
Joys are sent thee here below;
Take them readily when given,--
Ready, too, to let them go.

One by one thy griefs shall meet thee,
Do not fear an armed band;
One will fade as others greet thee--
Shadows passing through the land.

Do not look at life's long sorrow;
See how small each moment's pain;
God will help thee for to-morrow;
So each day begin again.

Every hour, that fleets so slowly,
Has its task to do or bear;
Luminous the crown and holy,
When each gem is set with care. {462}

Do not linger with regretting,
Or for passing hours despond;
Nor, the daily toil forgetting,
Look too eagerly beyond.

Hours are golden links, God's token,
Reaching heaven; but one by one
Take them, lest the chain be broken,
Ere the pilgrimage be done.
--_Adelaide Ann Procter_.

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TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW

If Fortune, with a smiling face,
Strew roses in our way,
When shall we stoop to pick them up?--
To-day, my friend, to-day.
But should she frown with face of care
And talk of coming sorrow,
When shall we grieve, if grieve we must?--
To-morrow, friend, to-morrow.

If those who've wronged us own their faults
And kindly pity pray,
When shall we listen and forgive?--
To-day, my friend, to-day.
But if stern Justice urge rebuke,
And warmth from memory borrow,
When shall we chide, if chide we dare?--
To-morrow, friend, to-morrow.

For virtuous acts and harmless joys
The minutes will not stay;
We've always time to welcome them
To-day, my friend, to-day.
But care, resentment, angry words,
And unavailing sorrow,
Come far too soon, if they appear
To-morrow, friend, to-morrow.

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STILL WITH THEE

Still, still with Thee, my God,
I would desire to be,
By day, by night, at home, abroad,
I would be still with Thee.

With Thee when dawn comes in,
And calls me back to care,