Poems (Carmichael)/Perseverance

by Sarah Elizabeth Carmichael

PERSEVERANCE.

Rouse thee, while thou 'rt idly dreaming,
 Precious hours are hastening by;
And each moment, as it fleeth,
 Whispers, "Mortal, thou must die!
While thine arm retains its vigor,
 While thy cheek is flushed with health,
Thou must strive, if thou wouldst ever
 Claim thy part of fame or wealth."

Say, what hast thou done worth naming?
 Does the world owe aught to thee?
Or, art thou a worthless atom
 Whirled upon life's stormy sea?
Brightest gems of thought lie sleeping,
 Resting dormant in thine heart;
Call them forth!—a world will laud thee
 Bid thy lethargy depart.

Every hour and every moment
 Brings its work for thee to do;
Strain each nerve to its full tension,
 Thou may'st nobly struggle through.
Canst thou claim a hero's laurel
 If thou shrinkest from the fight?
With the shield of truth before thee,
 Up, and onward, for the right!

Every conquest that thou gainest,
 Every prize that thou canst claim,
All the good that thou attainest,
 Addeth luster to thy name.
Onward! for thou hast the power;
 Onward! hast thou not the will?
Would'st thou claim a prize worth winning,
 Thou must struggle onward still.