The Complete Works of Lewis Carroll/Punctuality

by Lewis Carroll

PUNCTUALITY

Man naturally loves delay,
 And to procrastinate;
Business put off from day to day
 Is always done too late.

Let every hour be in its place
 Firm fixed, nor loosely shift.
And well enjoy the vacant space,
 As though a birthday gift.

And when the hour arrives, be there,
 Where'er that "there" may be;
Uncleanly hands or ruffled hair
 Let no one ever see.

If dinner at "half-past" be placed,
At "half-past" then be dressed.
If at a "quarter-past" make haste
 To be down with the rest.

Better to be before your time.
 Than e'er to be behind;
To ope the door while strikes the chime,
 That shows a punctual mind.

 
Moral

Let punctuality and care
 Seize every flitting hour.
So shalt thou cull a floweret fair.
 E'en from a fading flower.