So of success. It lies less in the attainment of some external end than in holding yourself to your purposes and ideals; for out of high loyalty and effort comes that intangible thing called character, which is no mere symbol of success, but success itself.
I do not know what I shall find on out beyond the final fight; I do not know what I shall meet beyond the last barrage of night; Nor do I care--but this I know--if I but serve within the fold And play the game--I"ll be prepared for all the endless years may hold.
Life is a training camp at best for what may wait beyond the years; A training camp of toiling days and nights that lean to dreams and tears; But each may come upon the goal, and build his soul above all Fate By holding an unbroken faith and taking Courage for a mate.
Is not the fight itself enough that man must look to some behest?
Wherein does Failure miss Success if all engaged but do their best?
Where does the Victor"s cry come in for wreath of fame or laureled brow If one he vanquished fought as well as weaker muscle would allow?
If my opponent in the fray should prove to be a stronger foe-- Not of his making--but because the Destinies ordained it so; If he should win--and I should lose--although I did my utmost part, Is my reward the less than his if he should strive with equal heart?
Brave Life, I hold, is something more than driving upward to the peak; Than smashing madly through the strong, and crashing onward through the weak; I hold the man who makes his fight against the raw game"s crushing odds Is braver than his brothers are who hold the favor of the G.o.ds.
On by the sky line, faint and vague, in that Far Country all must know, No laurel crown of fame may wait beyond the sunset"s glow; But life has given me the chance to train and serve within the fold, To meet the test--and be prepared for all the endless years may hold.
_Grantland Rice._
From "The Sportlight."
A SONG OF TO-MORROW
A night"s sleep and a new day--these are excellent things to look forward to when one is weary or in trouble.
Li"l bit er trouble, Honey, fer terday; Yander come Termorrer-- Shine it all away!
Rainy Sky is sayin", "Dis"ll never do!
Fetch dem rainbow ribbons, En I"ll dress in blue!"
_Frank L. Stanton._
From "The Atlanta Const.i.tution."
THE GLAD SONG
Gladness begins with the first person, with you. But it may spread far, like the ripples when you toss a stone in the water.
Sing a song, sing a song, Ring the glad-bells all along; Smile at him who frowns at you, He will smile and then they"re two.
Laugh a bit, laugh a bit, Folks will soon be catching it, Can"t resist a happy face; World will be a merry place.
Laugh a Bit and Sing a Song, Where they are there"s nothing wrong; Joy will dance the whole world through, But it must begin with you.
_Joseph Morris._
PAINTING THE LILY
Many people are not content to let well enough alone, but spoil what they have by striving for an unnecessary and foolish improvement. If they have a rich t.i.tle, they try to ornament it still further; if they have refined gold, they try to gild it; if they have a lily, they try to paint it into still purer color.
Therefore, to be possessed with double pomp, To guard a t.i.tle that was rich before, To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow, or with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
_William Shakespeare._
A PRETTY GOOD WORLD
The world has its faults, but few of us would give it up till we have to.
Pretty good world if you take it all round-- Pretty good world, good people!
Better be on than under the ground-- Pretty good world, good people!
Better be here where the skies are as blue As the eyes of your sweetheart a-smilin" at you-- Better than lyin" "neath daisies and dew-- Pretty good world, good people!
Pretty good world with its hopes and its fears-- Pretty good world, good people!
Sun twinkles bright through the rain of its tears-- Pretty good world, good people!
Better be here, in the pathway you know-- Where the thorn"s in the garden where sweet roses grow, Than to rest where you feel not the fall o" the snow-- Pretty good world, good people!
Pretty good world! Let us sing it that way-- Pretty good world, good people!
Make up your mind that you"re in it to stay-- At least for a season, good people!
Pretty good world, with its dark and its bright-- Pretty good world, with its love and its light; Sing it that way till you whisper, "Good-night!"-- Pretty good world, good people!
_Frank L. Stanton._
From "The Atlanta Const.i.tution."