Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/81

 Cleave to the good, the pure, the just;

Be thy whole life a life of love;

By noble thoughts and lofty aims,

Thyself to men and God approve.

Love the dear land that gave thee birth,—

The land thy fathers died to save;

They, the real nobles of the earth,

The true, the loyal, and the brave.

Walk in the footsteps of the wise;

Frown on the wrong, the right defend;

Spurn from thy soul all selfish aims;

Do thy whole duty till the end.

So shalt thou leave a fragrant fame;

Thy deeds thy monument shall raise;

The world shall bless thy honored name,

And men unborn shall speak thy praise.

S blushing tints still mantle o'er the shell

Whose tiny owner dwells in it no more;

As fragrant rose-leaves to the traveller tell

Where nodded in its pride the beauteous flower,—

So may thy path through this fair world be strewn

With sweet remembrances, to rouse and cheer

The weary wanderer, gladly forced to own

Where thou hast trod, a joy still lingers there.