Wouldst Thou Succeed?

Wouldst thou succeed? Then master each detail,Hold them in hand as reinsmen hold their steeds,Firmly, yet urge them on. Let no false needsSlip up on right or left and make bewail.Onward—drive them yet onward, and prevailEre Doubt shall sow her hesitating seedsTo flower in Failure rank or other breedsOf Mishap, Chance and Ill-luck that assails.Wouldst thou succeed? Finish the work in handNor dabble here and there while Time goes onAnd naught is done—and one by one the sandOf moment, turns to heaps of hours gone.Finish—Finish—at the dawn of light’Twas stamped in stars across the perfect night.John Trotwood Moore.

Wouldst thou succeed? Then master each detail,

Hold them in hand as reinsmen hold their steeds,

Firmly, yet urge them on. Let no false needs

Slip up on right or left and make bewail.

Onward—drive them yet onward, and prevail

Ere Doubt shall sow her hesitating seeds

To flower in Failure rank or other breeds

Of Mishap, Chance and Ill-luck that assails.

Wouldst thou succeed? Finish the work in handNor dabble here and there while Time goes onAnd naught is done—and one by one the sandOf moment, turns to heaps of hours gone.Finish—Finish—at the dawn of light’Twas stamped in stars across the perfect night.

Wouldst thou succeed? Finish the work in hand

Nor dabble here and there while Time goes on

And naught is done—and one by one the sand

Of moment, turns to heaps of hours gone.

Finish—Finish—at the dawn of light

’Twas stamped in stars across the perfect night.

John Trotwood Moore.

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