It Can Be Done - Poems of Inspiration | Page 8

when the enemy's morale must be shaken. The other was at the end of the conflict, when a brave and noble adversary had been rendered helpless. In his quiet way Grant showed himself one of nature's gentlemen. He also taught a great lesson. No honor can be too great for the man, be he even our foe, who has steadily and uncomplainingly done his very best--and has failed.
Did you tackle that trouble that came your way?With a resolute heart and cheerful??Or hide your face from the light of day?With a craven soul and fearful??Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,?Or a trouble is what you make it,?And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,?But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that!?Come up with a smiling face.?It's nothing against you to fall down flat,?But to lie there--that's disgrace.?The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce?Be proud of your blackened eye!?It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts;?It's how did you fight--and why?
And though you be done to the death, what then??If you battled the best you could,?If you played your part in the world of men,?Why, the Critic will call it good.?Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,?And whether he's slow or spry,?It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,?But only how did you die?
Edmund Vance Cooke.
From "Impertinent Poems."
A LESSON FROM HISTORY
To break the ice of an undertaking is difficult. To cross on broken ice, as Eliza did to freedom, or to row amid floating ice, as Washington did to victory, is harder still. This poem applies especially to those who are discouraged in a struggle to which they are already committed.
Everything's easy after it's done;?Every battle's a "cinch" that's won;?Every problem is clear that's solved--?The earth was round when it revolved!?But Washington stood amid grave doubt?With enemy forces camped about;?He could not know how he would fare?Till after he'd crossed the Delaware.
Though the river was full of ice?He did not think about it twice,?But started across in the dead of night,?The enemy waiting to open the fight.?Likely feeling pretty blue,?Being human, same as you,?But he was brave amid despair,?And Washington crossed the Delaware!
So when you're with trouble beset,?And your spirits are soaking wet,?When all the sky with clouds is black,?Don't lie down upon your back?And look at them. Just do the thing;?Though you are choked, still try to sing.?If times are dark, believe them fair,?And you will cross the Delaware!
Joseph Morris.
RABBI BEN EZRA
(SELECTED VERSES)
To some people success is everything, and the easier it is gained the better. To Browning success is nothing unless it is won by painful effort. What Browning values is struggle. Throes, rebuffs, even failure to achieve what we wish, are to be welcomed, for the effects of vigorous endeavor inweave themselves into our characters; moreover through struggle we lift ourselves from the degradation into which the indolent fall. In the intervals of strife we may look back dispassionately upon what we have gone through, see where we erred and where we did wisely, watch the workings of universal laws, and resolve to apply hereafter what we have hitherto learned.
Then, welcome each rebuff?That turns earth's smoothness rough,?Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand but go!?Be our joys three-parts pain!?Strive, and hold cheap the strain;?Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe!
For thence,--a paradox?Which comforts while it mocks,--?Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail:?What I aspired to be,?And was not, comforts me:?A brute I might have been, but would not sink i' the scale.
So, still within this life,?Though lifted o'er its strife,?Let me discern, compare, pronounce at last,?"This rage was right i' the main,?That acquiescence vain:?The Future I may face now I have proved the Past."
For more is not reserved?To man, with soul just nerved?To act to-morrow what he learns to-day:?Here, work enough to watch?The Master work, and catch?Hints of the proper craft, tricks of the tool's true play.
Robert Browning.
TO MELANCHOLY
The last invitation anybody would accept is "Come, let us weep together." If we keep melancholy at our house, we should be careful to have it under lock and key, so that no one will observe it.
Melancholy,?Melancholy,?I've no use for you, by Golly!?Yet I'm going to keep you hidden?In some chamber dark, forbidden,?Just as though you were a prize, sir,?Made of gold, and I a miser--?Not because I think you jolly,
Melancholy!?Not for that I mean to hoard you,?Keep you close and lodge and board you?As I would my sisters, brothers,?Cousins, aunts, and old grandmothers,?But that you shan't bother others?With your sniffling, snuffling folly,
Howling,?Yowling,?Melancholy.
John Kendrick Bangs.
From "Songs of Cheer."
THE LION PATH
Admiral Dupont was explaining to Farragut his reasons for not taking his ironclads into Charleston harbor. "You haven't given me the main reason yet," said Farragut.