I slept and dreamed that life was Beauty;
I woke, and found that life was Duty:--
Was read more

I slept and dreamed that life was Beauty;
I woke, and found that life was Duty:--
Was thy dream then a shadowy lie?

Knowledge is the hill which few may wish to climb;
Duty is the path that all may tread.

Knowledge is the hill which few may wish to climb;
Duty is the path that all may tread.

Take up the White Man's burden.

Take up the White Man's burden.

The primal duties shine aloft, like stars;
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless
Are scattered read more

The primal duties shine aloft, like stars;
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless
Are scattered at the feet of Man, like flowers.

Who art a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring, and reprove.

Who art a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring, and reprove.

Hath the spirit of all beauty
Kissed you in the path of duty?

Hath the spirit of all beauty
Kissed you in the path of duty?

The things which must be, must be for the best,
God helps us do our duty and not shrink,
read more

The things which must be, must be for the best,
God helps us do our duty and not shrink,
And trust His mercy humbly for the rest.

Not once or twice in our rough island story,
The path of duty was the way to glory.

Not once or twice in our rough island story,
The path of duty was the way to glory.

He who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and
will find the flaw when read more

He who is false to present duty breaks a thread in the loom, and
will find the flaw when he may have forgotten its cause.