In all my life I never knew
A creature to do well without it.
What! have no energy to do,
And yet succeed?—I really doubt it.

Then why sit down at ease and say—
'This can't be done, that, or the other:'
In such a man I have no faith,
No matter who may be his mother.

What think ye of the farmer who
Neglects to sow his grain in season,
And yet expects to reap the fruit
In time;—think ye he acts with reason?

The man of energy will dare
To do what suits his will or pleasure;
Though thousands all around him fail,
Yet he secures the honoured treasure.

'Tis energy that guides the plough,
And makes the steamer roar and rattle,
Directs the ship in every port,
And makes the hero dare in battle.

In all my life I never knew
The energetic man to stumble,
Or, if he fails in one attempt,
To sit down and begin to grumble.

'What man has done may yet,' he cries,
'Be done by man in any station;
So I will try, and try again,
And bid defiance to the nation.'