XVIII.—LET VIRTUE BE YOUR AIM.

1. Whatever be thy lot on earth,Thy mission[136]here below,Though Fame may wreathe[137]her laurels[138]fair,Around your youthful brow,—If you would rise from earthly things,And win a deathless name,Let all your ways be just and right—Let virtue be your aim.[139]2. Though cherished[140]friends may traitors[141]prove.Their kindness all depart,And leave a mournful spell aroundThy sad and bleeding heart;Though you may oft be scorned[142]by men,Or those who bear the name,Let all your ways be just and right—Let virtue be your aim.3. Oh! ye who dwell in stately[143]halls,Where wealth and fame[144]are known,Remember you may yet be poor,Neglected and alone!But, oh! remember this broad truth,Ere others’ faults you scan,[145]Your wealth may make a thousand fools—But virtue makes the man.

1. Whatever be thy lot on earth,

Thy mission[136]here below,

Though Fame may wreathe[137]her laurels[138]fair,

Around your youthful brow,—

If you would rise from earthly things,

And win a deathless name,

Let all your ways be just and right—

Let virtue be your aim.[139]

2. Though cherished[140]friends may traitors[141]prove.Their kindness all depart,And leave a mournful spell aroundThy sad and bleeding heart;Though you may oft be scorned[142]by men,Or those who bear the name,Let all your ways be just and right—Let virtue be your aim.

2. Though cherished[140]friends may traitors[141]prove.

Their kindness all depart,

And leave a mournful spell around

Thy sad and bleeding heart;

Though you may oft be scorned[142]by men,

Or those who bear the name,

Let all your ways be just and right—

Let virtue be your aim.

3. Oh! ye who dwell in stately[143]halls,Where wealth and fame[144]are known,Remember you may yet be poor,Neglected and alone!But, oh! remember this broad truth,Ere others’ faults you scan,[145]Your wealth may make a thousand fools—But virtue makes the man.

3. Oh! ye who dwell in stately[143]halls,

Where wealth and fame[144]are known,

Remember you may yet be poor,

Neglected and alone!

But, oh! remember this broad truth,

Ere others’ faults you scan,[145]

Your wealth may make a thousand fools—

But virtue makes the man.

[136]Mis’-sion, errand; business.[137]Wreathe, entwine.[138]Lau’-rels, flowers for garlands.[139]Aim, purpose; intention.[140]Cher’-ish-ed, dear; loved.[141]Trai’-tors, betrayers.[142]Scorn’-eddespised; disdained[143]State’-ly, magnificent; grand[144]Fame, renown; glory.[145]Scan, examine critically.

[136]Mis’-sion, errand; business.

[137]Wreathe, entwine.

[138]Lau’-rels, flowers for garlands.

[139]Aim, purpose; intention.

[140]Cher’-ish-ed, dear; loved.

[141]Trai’-tors, betrayers.

[142]Scorn’-eddespised; disdained

[143]State’-ly, magnificent; grand

[144]Fame, renown; glory.

[145]Scan, examine critically.

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