LIFE IS A DAY
Reading edition
“Life is as a day that hath its morn of hope, its noon of strength, its night of peace, whose morrow no man knoweth.”
MORNING
Young Heart, Spring Heart, Waken with the morning; Sing for the long road That lieth white before; Lieth there untrodden With little flowers adorning, And green hills of promise Thy fathers saw of yore. Young Heart, Spring Heart, Wine of Life is flowing; Stoop thee to the beaker And drain it at a draught; Gird thee for the journey, Joy is in the going, And hope is in the heart of him Who wine of Life hath quaffed.
NOON
Strong Heart, Bold Heart, Brace thee for the battle; Wait now the onset Exultant and calm; Love lilt and war cry, Babies’ soft prattle, Mingle and meet In thy life’s swelling psalm. Dreaming is over, The old gods are buried; Joy was a phantom Ye chased through the mist; Broken the shrines where Thy young feet have tarried; Dust are the lips that Thy young lips have kissed.
NIGHT
Old Heart, Still Heart, Lying in the shadow; Lying there all silent With the glory on thy face; Feet that have trodden The upland and meadow Spring nevermore To the heat of the race. Old Heart, Still Heart, Life is a striving; Of all that it promises Work is the best; Love is a fable, And wealth is but giving— Kind is the evening That leadeth to rest.