Poems (Hoffman)/My Duty
MY DUTY
There's one thing left me from the toil and fretHopes, plans, ambitions, failures of existence,One thought, that over every life-regretRises each morning with the day-dawn's constance;It is my duty—plain and homely word—And yet before its priceless, hidden beauty The noblest heart is stirred;For from the lowly unseen glory ofEarth's unrecorded halo of good deedsBloom forth life's highest liberty and love, And slaves whose creedsOf freedom from all duty made them slavesTo their own evil natures (tyrant masters)Would not be bound in chains from sun to sunIf every day's plain duty had been done.
Each day my duty plain before me lies,No shifting scene of unrealitiesBut a sweet, high and noble plan or way,To scorn the wrong and do the right to-day. O, if for man Self-aggrandizement, pleasure, gain, avail How shall we failTo reach in this life the eternal plan?But if to choose between the wrong and right,The darkness and the light,Then every little life within its scopeShall every day have hope.
Draw back the veil and look upon the throngOf those who sing the new, immortal song;By faith their robes washed white and spotless are, And yet of mighty worth beforeGod's judgment barStand forth the deeds that they have done on earth.
No crown that's worth the winningBut was won By truth and trust,The gilded flaunting livery of sinningSprang from and shall return unto the dust.
And I remember One who lived to blessWho counted duty more than happiness,Who spared not talents, time, His own life-blood,Who went about this sad world doing good;Yes, I remember One who spite of swordsOf clashing arguments and warring wordsTo-day is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.