Friday, September 25, 2009

Where There's a Will There's a Way

WE have faith in old proverbs full surely,
For Wisdom has traced what they tell,
And Truth may be drawn up as purely
From them, as it may from "a well."
Let us question the thinkers and doers,
And hear what they honestly say;
And you'll find they believe, like bold wooers,
In "Where there's a will there's a way."

The hills have been high for man's mounting,
The woods have been dense for his axe,
The stars have been thick for his counting,
The sands have been wide for his tracks,
The sea has been deep for his diving,
The poles have been broad for his sway,
But bravely he's proved in his sriving,
That "Where there's a will there's a way."

Have ye vices that ask a destroyer?
Or passions that need your control?
Let Reason become your employer,
And your body be ruled by your soul.
Fight on, though ye bleed in the trial,
Resist with all strength that ye may;
Ye may conquer Sin's host by denial;
For "Where there's a will there's a way."

Have ye Poverty's pinching to cope with?
Does Suffering weigh down your might?
Only call up a spirit to hope with,
And dawn may come out of the night.
Oh! much may be done by defying
The ghosts of Despair and Dismay;
And much may be gained by relying
On "Where there's a will there's a way."

Should ye see, afar off, that worth winning,
Set out on the journey with trust;
And ne'er heed if your path at beginning
Should be among brambles and dust.
Though it is but by footsteps ye do it,
And hardships may hinder and stay;
Walk with faith, and be sure you'll get through it;
For "Where there's a will there's a way."

Eliza Cook

2 comments:

Sam the man said...

Could you please interpret this line: But bravely he's proved in his sriving,. I don't recognize the last word. I like it. This is Mom, not Sam.

Jeremy said...

Funny. I decided to read your blog. As soon as I saw this entry was a poem, I could not scroll down fast enough. I am what I am.

Otherwise, all interesting stuff. I like the grocery store at anytime of day; other people's impatience doesn't bother me at all.

I could sure go for some pumpkin cheesecake.

Lastly, I feel the need to check my punctuation, grammer, and usage carefully when I write anything you will read. Even after combing over this 7 times, I am not sure if it is correct.