Ring in the valiant man and free,
      The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
      Ring out the darkness of the land,
    Ring in the Christ that is to be.

A. TENNYSON.

* * * * *

FAME AND DUTY.

    “What shall I do, lest life in silence pass?”
        “And if it do,
    And never prompt the bray of noisy brass,
        What need’st thou rue? 
    Remember, aye the ocean-deeps are mute;
        The shallows roar: 
    Worth is the ocean,—­fame is but the bruit
        Along the shore.”

    “What shall I do to be forever known?”
        “Thy duty ever.” 
    “This did full many who yet slept unknown.” 
        “Oh, never, never! 
    Think’st thou perchance that they remain unknown
        Whom thou know’st not? 
    By angel trumps in heaven their praise is blown—­
        Divine their lot.”

    “What shall I do to gain eternal life?”
        “Discharge aright
    The simple dues with which each day is rife,
        Yea, with thy might. 
    Ere perfect scheme of action thou devise,
        Will life be fled,
    Where he, who ever acts as conscience cries,
        Shall live though dead.”

SCHILLER.

* * * * *

NO CEREMONY.

    No ceremony that to great ones ’longs,
    Not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword,
    The marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe,
    Become them with one half so good a grace
    As mercy does.  If he had been as you,
    And you as he, you would have slipt like him;
    But he, like you, would not have been so stern.

Measure for Measure, Act 2, Sc. 2.

* * * * *

TRUE LEADERS.

    Languor is not in your heart,
    Weakness is not in your word,
    Weariness not in your brow. 
    Ye alight in our van! at your voice. 
    Panic, despair flee away. 
    Ye move through the ranks, recall
    The stragglers, refresh the outworn,
    Praise, reinspire the brave.

    Order, courage return;
    Eyes rekindling, and prayers
    Follow your steps as you go. 
    Ye fill up the gaps in our files,
    Strengthen the wavering line,
    Stablish, continue our march,
    On, to the bound of the waste,
    On, to the City of God.

MATTHEW ARNOLD.

* * * * *

BE KIND TO DUMB CREATURES.

A SONG.

    Be kind to dumb creatures, be gentle, be true,
    For food and protection they look up to you;
    For affection and help to your bounty they turn. 
    Oh, do not their trusting hearts wantonly spurn!

    Chorus:
      Be kind to dumb creatures, nor grudge them your care,
      God gave them their life, and your love they must share;
      And He who the sparrow’s fall tenderly heeds,
      Will lovingly look on compassionate deeds.