Never Give Up

Never give up when the hour of trial comes!
Let hand and heart be steady,
A wavering thought oft ruin has brought^___
In peril be ever ready.
The conflict may be strong, like a pressing throng
Swift upon your way,
If you the headland keep, bid your hands sweep
That which binds you to-day.

Never give up when the hour of trial comes!
'Tis weakness to falter;
Let your courage be shown, as a light thrown
From off holy altar.
A bright light to gleam far down Time's stream,
That erst a pilgrim stranger
In passing along in Time's outgoing throng,
May well abide danger.

Never give up when the hour of trial comes!
Your will must be the lever:
Each trial to roll from the heart's close hold
Where it fain would linger,
And branching grow, over your shade to throw ^___
A shade deep with sadness:
Ah! instead of a frown, wear ye a crown ^___
The heart's inward gladness.

Never give up when a trying hour comes!
Do not a moment stay!
Out of dismal retreat let your feet beat
Fast on a higher way.
Yes, up and astir? Let the very earth whirr
As though cleft by a bird
Whose lofty ascent by swiftest wing lent
Could never be deterred!

Never give up when Trial's hour comes!
Give up? No, no never!
Where ere the victor's song whose notes prolong
Heaven's pearly gates to enter.
Each trial a step made up a holy grade
With only a step at a time,
This you are to take and with joy your way make
In^___ with no more trials thine.

^__Susan C. Keefe.

Poets and Poetry of Kansas
Thomas B. Herringshaw
(Chicago: American Publishers Association. 1894)
Page 81