Failure.
31
If "fail" means loss of world's applause,
Then heed I not its sneer:
If honest failure is thy sin,
Then probe thy heart sincere.
Then heed I not its sneer:
If honest failure is thy sin,
Then probe thy heart sincere.
Look down,—observe the motive wheel
That drives thy chariot on;
Observe what ruts have hinder'd that,
Then speed less reckless on.
That drives thy chariot on;
Observe what ruts have hinder'd that,
Then speed less reckless on.
To nobly fail on earth is gain,
If motives be sincere;
Carved from the granite rock of truth,
With no spectators near.
If motives be sincere;
Carved from the granite rock of truth,
With no spectators near.
Put down the plummet and the line,
Be sure convictions meet,
That thou hast given all thy strength
To make thy work complete.
Be sure convictions meet,
That thou hast given all thy strength
To make thy work complete.
Then never say, "I've failed in work,"
While strength and hope still chime,
And on life's shore the waves still flow,
These restless waves of time.
While strength and hope still chime,
And on life's shore the waves still flow,
These restless waves of time.
