If a Work is Worth the Doing

If a work is worth the doing
It is worth the doing well.
When a noble aim pursuing
Never have an idle spell.
There is danger in delaying
And a man may win his case,
By attention he is paying
To the language of a face.

There are records fate impresses
In the lines upon a brow.
Silence often times confesses
More than wisdom would allow.
Could we read the future’s pages
We would hope’s incentive lose;
The experience of ages
Should ambition’s fire infuse.

Could we see the path before us
See the forces we must lead,
See the tempests hanging o’er us
[How the willing feet must bleed.]
See the trials daily coming,
Coming to the patience try;
In the knowledge, vast, benumbing,
Happiness would pass us by.

Quick to reckon up the losses;
Ready to forget our gains.
It is ever little crosses,
That the greatest love constrains.
We who baffle mighty issues,
Measure moments by their length:
There are hosts of tiny tissues
Most amazing in their strength.