CHILDREN, who read my lay, Thus much I have to say: Each day, and every day, Do what is right! Right things, in great and small; Then, though the sky should fall, Sun, moon, and stars, and all, You shall have light! This further I would say: Be you tempted as you may, Each day, and every day, Speak what is true! True things, in great and small; Then, though the sky should fall, Sun, moon, and stars, and all, Heaven would show through! Figs, as you see and know, Do not out of thistles grow; And, though the blossoms blow White on the tree, Grapes never, never yet On the limbs of thorns were set; So, if you a good would get, Good you must be! Life's journey, through and through, Speaking what is just and true; Doing what is right to do Unto one and all, When you work and when you play, Each day, and every day; Then peace shall gild your way, Though the sky should fall. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHEN I PERUSE THE CONQUER'D FAME by WALT WHITMAN TO A DISTANT FRIEND by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH LATE AUTUMN by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM THE WITCHES' FROLIC by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM THE LAUGHING WOMAN by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |