RISE!  for the day is passing, 

And you lie dreaming on;

The others have buckled their armour, 

And forth to the fight have gone.

A place in the ranks awaits you, 

Each man has some part to play;

The Past and the Future are nothing, 

In the face of the stern To-day.

Rise from your dreams of the future

Of gaining some hard-fought field, 

Of storming some airy fortress,

Or bidding some giant yield;

Your future has deeds of glory,

Of honour (God grant it may!)

But your arm will never be stronger,

Or the need so great as To-day.”

TOILING, rejoicing, sorrowing,

Onward through life he goes:

Each morning sees some task begin,

Each evening sees it close;

Something attempted, something done,

Has earned a night’s repose.