It Can Be Done Part 53

_George Eliot_.

SADNESS AND MERRIMENT

(ADAPTED FROM "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE")

In this pa.s.sage Antonio states that he is overcome by a sadness he cannot account for. Salarino tells him that the mental att.i.tude is everything; that mirth is as easy as gloom; that nature in her freakishness makes some men laugh at trifles until their eyes become mere slits, yet leaves others dour and unsmiling before jests that would convulse even the venerable Nestor. Gratiano maintains that Antonio is too absorbed in worldly affairs, and that he must not let his spirits grow sluggish or irritable.

_ANT._ In sooth, I know not why I am so sad: It wearies me; you say it wearies you; But how I caught it, found it, or came by it, What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born, I am to learn.

_Salar_. Then let's say you are sad Because you are not merry: and 'twere as easy For you to laugh and leap, and say you are merry, Because you are not sad. Now, by two-headed Ja.n.u.s, Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time: Some that will evermore peep through their eyes And laugh like parrots at a bag-piper, And other of such vinegar aspect That they'll not show their teeth in way of smile, Though Nestor swear the jest be laughable.

_Gra_. You look not well, Signior Antonio; You have too much respect upon the world: They lose it that do buy it with much care: Believe me, you are marvelously changed.

_Ant_. I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano A stage where every man must play a part, And mine a sad one.

_Gra_. Let me play the fool: With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come, And let my liver rather heat with wine Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.

Why should a man whose blood is warm within Sit like his grandsire cut in alabaster?

Sleep when he wakes, and creep into a jaundice By being peevish? Fare ye well awhile: I'll end my exhortation after dinner.

_William Shakespeare._

APPRECIATION

Life's a bully good game with its kicks and cuffs-- Some smile, some laugh, some bluff; Some carry a load too heavy to bear While some push on with never a care, But the load will seldom heavy be When I appreciate you and you appreciate me.

He who lives by the side of the road And helps to bear his brother's load May seem to travel lone and long While the world goes by with a merry song, But the heart grows warm and sorrows flee When I appreciate you and you appreciate me.

When I appreciate you and you appreciate me, The road seems short to victory; It buoys one up and calls "Come on,"

And days grow brighter with the dawn; There is no doubt or mystery When I appreciate you and you appreciate me.

It's the greatest thought in heaven or earth-- It helps us know our fellow's worth; There'd be no wars or bitterness, No fear, no hate, no grasping; yes, It makes work play, and the careworn free When I appreciate you and you appreciate me.

_William Judson Kibby,_

KEEP SWEET

Even the direst catastrophes may be softened by our att.i.tude to them.

Charles II said to those who had gathered about his deathbed: "You'll pardon any little lapses, gentlemen. I've never done this thing before."

Don't be foolish and get sour when things don't just come your way-- Don't you be a pampered baby and declare, "Now I won't play!"

Just go grinning on and bear it; Have you heartache? Millions share it, If you earn a crown, you'll wear it-- Keep sweet.

Don't go handing out your troubles to your busy fellow-men-- If you whine around they'll try to keep from meeting you again; Don't declare the world's "agin" you, Don't let pessimism win you, Prove there's lots of good stuff in you-- Keep sweet.

If your dearest hopes seem blighted and despair looms into view, Set your jaw and whisper grimly, "Though they're false, yet I'll be true."

Never let your heart grow bitter; With your lips to Hope's transmitter, Hear Love's songbirds bravely twitter, "Keep sweet."

Bless your heart, this world's a good one, and will always help a man; Hate, misanthropy, and malice have no place in Nature's plan.

Help your brother there who's sighing.

Keep his flag of courage flying; Help him try--'twill keep you trying-- Keep sweet.

_Strickland W. Gillilan._

MORALITY

We can't always, even when accomplis.h.i.+ng, have the ardor of accomplishment; we can only hold to the purpose formed in more inspired hours. After a work is finished, even though it be a good work which our final judgment will approve, we are likely to be oppressed for a time by the anxieties we have pa.s.sed through; the comfort of effort has left us, and we recall our dreams, our intentions, beside which our actual achievement seems small. In such moments we should remember that just after the delivery of the Gettysburg Address Lincoln believed it an utter failure. Yet the address was a masterpiece of commemorative oratory.

We cannot kindle when we will The fire which in the heart resides; The spirit bloweth and is still, In mystery our soul abides.

But tasks in hours of insight will'd Can be through hours of gloom fulfill'd

With aching hands and bleeding feet We dig and heap, lay stone on stone; We bear the burden and the heat Of the long day and wish 'twere done.

Not till the hours of light return, All we have built do we discern.

_Matthew Arnold_

A HYMN TO HAPPINESS

A man who owed Artemus Ward two hundred dollars fell into such hard circ.u.mstances that Artemus offered to knock off half the debt. "I won't let you outdo me in generosity," said the man; "I'll knock off the other half." Similarly, when we resolve to live down our causes of gloom, fate comes to our aid and removes most of them altogether.