Classic Poem

By John S TUART B LACKIE .

Three blissful words I name to thee
Three words of potent charm,
From carking care thy heart to free,
Thy life to shield from harm.
Whoso these blissful words may know,
A bold, bright-fronted face shall show,
And, shod with peace, shall safely go
Through fire and wild alarm.

First, ere thy forward foot thou move,
And wield thine arm of might,
Lift up thy heart to God above
That all thy ways be right,
To the prime source of life and power
Let thy soul rise, even as a flower,
That skyward climbs in sunny hour,
And seeks the genial light.

Then gird thy loins to manly toil,
And in the toil have joy;
Greet hardships with a winning smile
And love the stern employ.
Thy glory this, — the harsh to tame
And by wise stroke and technic flame
In God-like labors fruitful name
Old Chaos to destroy.

Then mid thy workshop's dusty din,
Where Titan stream hath sway,
Croon to thyself a song within,
Or pour the lusty lay;
Even as a bird that cheerily sings
In narrow cage, nor trets its wings,
But with full-breasted joyance sings
Its soul unto the day.

For lofty things let others strive
With roll of vauntful drum;
Keep thou thy heart, a honeyed hive,
Like bee with busy hum.
Chase not the bliss with wistful eyes
That ever lures and ever flies,
But in the present joy be wise,
And let the future come!