Он, shun the spot, my youthful friends, I urge you to beware! How varied are the images arising to my sight, Of those who wished to shun the wrong, who loved and prized the right Yet from the silken bonds of sloth they vainly strove to fly, Which held them gently prisoned in the street of By-and-bye. A youth aspired to climb the height of Learning's lofty hill; What dimmed his bright intelligence ?-what quelled his earnest will? "My projects thrive," the merchant said;-" when doubled is my store "Forgive thy erring brother, he has wept and suffered long!" I said to one; who answered-"He hath done me grievous wrong; The wearied worldling muses upon lost and wasted days, Resolved to turn HEREAFTER from the error of his ways, To lift his grovelling thoughts from earth, and fix them on the sky; Why does he linger fondly in the street of By-and-bye? Then shun the spot, my youthful friends; work on while yet you may; You have reached the house of "Never"-by the street of "By-and-bye." |