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Page:Songs, Legends, and Ballads.djvu/56

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44
SONGS, LEGENDS, AND BALLADS.

RULES OF THE ROAD.


WHAT man would be wise, let him drink of the river
That bears on its bosom the record of time:
A message to him every wave can deliver
To teach him to creep till he knows how to climb.
Who heeds not experience, trust him not; tell him
The scope of one mind can but trifles achieve:
The weakest who draws from the mine will excel him—
The wealth of mankind is the wisdom they leave.

For peace do not hope—to be just you must break it;
Still work for the minute and not for the year;
When honor comes to you, be ready to take it;
But reach not to seize it before it is near.