A Psalm of Life

Tell me not, in mournful numbers, a

Life is but an empty dream!- b

For the soul is dead that slumbers, a

And things are not what they seem. b

Life is real! Life is earnest! c

And the grave is not its goal; d

Dust thou art, to dust returnest, c

Was not spoken of the soul. d

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, e

Is our destined end or way; f

But to act that each tomorrow e

Finds us farther than today. f

Art is long, and Time is fleeting, g

And our hearts, though stout and brave, h

Still, like muffled drums, are beating g

Funeral marches to the grave. h

In the world’s broad field of battle, i

In the bivouac of Life, j

Be not like dumb, driven cattle! i

Be a hero in the strife! j

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant! k

Let the dead Past bury its dead! l

Act,- act in the living Present! k

Heart within, and God o’erhead! l

Lives of great men all remind us m

We can make our lives sublime, n

And, departing, leave behind us m

Footprints in the sands of time; n

Footprints that perhaps another, o

Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, p

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother; o

Seeing, shall take heart again. p

Let us, then, be up and doing, q

With a heart for any life; r

Still achieving, still pursuing, q

Learn to labor and to wait. r

The poem is composed of nine quatrains.