Duties of Life

Life is greatly what we make it,
Through good and ill we must take it;
And we should not troubles borrow,
But strive to banish all our sorrow.

Each man for life should choose a mate,
And true love should cultivate;
For women unto us are given,
To transform the earth to Heaven.

Abroad the men should never roam,
But make a Paradise of home;
Domestic bliss is truest joy,
With wife and little girl and boy.

But all need to be forgiven,
And to put their trust in Heaven;
The truest joys are above,
Obtained alone but through Christ’s Love.

While doing right if you seem to fail,
You must not for a moment quail;
But at once banish all your fear,
Press nobly on in your career.

More honor far then you will gain.
Because you strove right to obtain;
And as you have been dutiful,
You’ve won good, true and beautiful.