Psalm of Life

Psalm of Life
Tell menot,inmournfulnumbers,
Lifeisbutanemptydream!—
Forthesoulisdeadthatslumbers,
Andthingsarenotwhattheyseem.

Lifeisreal!Lifeisearnest!
Andthegraveisnotitsgoal;
Dustthouart,todustreturnest,
Wasnotspokenofthesoul.

Notenjoyment,andnotsorrow,
Isourdestinedendorway;
Buttoact,thateachto-morrow
Findusfartherthanto-day.

Artislong,andTimeisfleeting,
Andourhearts,thoughstoutandbrave,
Still,likemuffleddrums,arebeating
Funeralmarchestothegrave.

Intheworld\’sbroadfieldofbattle,
InthebivouacofLife,
Benotlikedumb,drivencattle!
Beaherointhestrife!

TrustnoFuture,howe\’erpleasant!
LetthedeadPastburyitsdead!
Act,—actinthelivingPresent!
Heartwithin,andGodo\’erhead!

Livesofgreatmenallremindus
Wecanmakeourlivessublime,
And,departing,leavebehindus
Footprintsonthesandsoftime;

Footprints,thatperhapsanother,
Sailingo\’erlife\’ssolemnmain,
Aforlornandshipwreckedbrother,
Seeing,shalltakeheartagain.

Letus,then,beupanddoing,
Withaheartforanyfate;
Stillachieving,stillpursuing,
Learntolaborandtowait.