Poems (Cook)/Where there's a will there's a way

by Eliza Cook

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY.

We have faith in old proverbs, full surely,
 For Wisdom has traced what they tell,
And Truth may be drawn up as purely
 From them, as it may from "a well."
Let us question the thinkers and doers,
 And hear what they honestly say,
And you'll find they believe, like bold wooers,
 In "Where there's a will there's a way."

The hills have been high for Man's mounting,
 The woods have been dense for his axe,
The stars have been thick for his counting,
 The sands have been wide for his tracks,
The sea has been deep for his diving,
 The poles have been broad for his sway,
But bravely he's proved in his striving,
 That "Where there's a will there's a way."

Have ye Vices that ask a destroyer?
 Or Passions that need your control?
Let Reason become your employer,
 And your body be ruled by your soul.
Fight on, though ye bleed in the trial,
 Resist with all strength that ye may;
Ye may conquer Sin's host by denial;
 For "Where there's a will there's a way."

Have ye Poverty's pinching to cope with?
 Does Suffering weigh down your might?
Only call up a spirit to hope with,
 And dawn may come out of the night.
Oh! much may be done by defying
 The ghosts of Despair and Dismay;
And much may be gain'd by relying
 On "Where there's a will there's a way."

Should ye see afar off that worth winning,
 Set out on the journey with trust;
And ne'er heed if your path at beginning
 Should be among brambles and dust.
Though it is but by footsteps ye do it,
 And hardships may hinder and stay;
Keep a heart, and be sure you'll get through it;
 For "Where there's a will there's a way."