Classic Poem

The rise of nations and of men
Record the struggles passed and won,
But none may tell just where and when
The urge did come and thus begun.
It might have been through glorious deeds
Performed by earlier men of fame,
Whose inspiration often leads
To visions that remake a name.

A Constantine, Alexander, too,
A Hannibal and Caesar great
May change the thought of even you
And give a hero to the State.
To read the deeds of men renowned
Will make you choose a given course
That often strikes the note profound,
Revealing thus the man of force.
The deeds we do must make the race
And force the nation to the top,
And when we gain the honour place
We forge ahead and never stop.
Keep winning more and still some more,
And set a pace for fainter heart;
Your deeds shall spread from shore to shore,
And worlds shall know you played your part.

Though black of race you are, my friend,
Your part in life is ever here:
There's work for you; the human trend
Calls for each one to have his share.
Go then and play your part to-day,
And think that you are king of all
Circumstances that come your way.
Before which you must never fall.