Public-domain source text

Duties of Life

by James McIntyre

From Standard Ebooks · standardebooks/james-mcintyre_poetry

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.

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This is a source transcription from Standard Ebooks, published in Past Poetry’s public-domain archive without line-by-line editorial notes. Public-domain source edition. Availability can vary by territory.

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