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The wisest men know that the greatest world is not outside them. They could, in Shakespeare's phrase, be bounded by a nut-sh.e.l.l and count themselves kings of infinite s.p.a.ce.
What of the outer drear, As long as there's inner light; As long as the sun of cheer s.h.i.+nes ardently bright?
As long as the soul's a-wing, As long as the heart is true, What power hath trouble to bring A sorrow to you?
No bar can encage the soul, Nor capture the spirit free, As long as old earth shall roll, Or hours shall be.
Our world is the world within, Our life is the thought we take, And never an outer sin Can mar it or break.
Brood not on the rich man's land, Sigh not for miser's gold, Holding in reach of your hand The treasure untold
That lies in the Mines of Heart, That rests in the soul alone-- Bid worry and care depart, Come into your own!
_John Kendrick_
From "Songs of Cheer."
ABOU BEN ADHEM
"Forgive my enemies?" said the dying man to the priest. "I have none.
I've killed them all." This old ideal of exterminating our enemies has by no means disappeared from the earth. But it is waning. "Live and let live" is a more modern slogan, which mounts in turn from mere toleration of other people to a spirit of service and universal brotherhood. Love of our fellow men--has humanity reached any height superior to this?
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold:-- Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said, "What writest thou?"--The vision raised its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men."
The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of G.o.d had blessed, And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.
_Leigh Hunt._
THIS WORLD
There is good in life and there is ill. The question is where we should put the emphasis.
This world that we're a-livin' in Is mighty hard to beat; You git a thorn with every rose, But _ain't _the roses _sweet_!
_Frank L. Stanton._
From "The Atlanta Const.i.tution."
GRAY DAYS
By reckoning up the odds against us and ignoring the forces in our favor, we may indeed close the door of hope. But why not take matters the other way about? Why not see the situation clearly and then throw our own strong purpose in the scales? In the course of a battle an officer reported to Stonewall Jackson that he must fall back because his ammunition had been spoiled by a rainstorm. "So has the enemy's," was the instant reply. "Give them the bayonet." This resolute spirit won the battle.
Hang the gray days!
The deuce-to-pay days!
The feeling-blue and nothing-to-do days!
The sit-by-yourself-for-there's-nothing-new days!
When the cat that Care killed without excuse With your inner self's crying, "Oh, what's the use?"
And you wonder whatever is going to become of you, And you feel that a cipher expresses the sum of you; And you know that you'll never, Oh, never, be clever, Spite of all your endeavor Or hard work or whatever!
Oh, gee!
What a mix-up you see When you look at the world where you happen to be!
Where strangers are hateful and friends are a bore, And you know in your heart you will smile nevermore!
Gee, kid!
Clap on the lid!
It is all a mistake! Give your worries the skid!
There are sunny days coming Succeeding the blue And bees will be humming Making honey for you, And your heart will be singing The merriest tune While April is bringing A May and a June!
Gray days?
Play days!
Joy-bringing pay days And heart-lifting May days!
The sun will be s.h.i.+ning in just a wee while So smile!
_Griffith Alexander._
From "The Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger."
[Ill.u.s.tration: EDMUND VANCE COOKE]
LAUGH A LITTLE BIT
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine"; a little laughter cures many a seeming ill.
Here's a motto, just your fit-- Laugh a little bit.
