If one proves weak who you fancied strong,
Or false who you fancied true,
Just ease the smart of your wounded heart
By the thought that it is not you!
If many forget a promise made,
And your faith falls into the dust,
Then look meanwhile in your mirror and smile,
And say, ‘I am one to trust!’
If you search in vain for an ageing face
Unharrowed by fretful fears,
Then make right now (and keep) a vow
To grow in grace with the years.
If you lose your faith in the word of man
As you go from the port of youth,
Just say as you sail, ‘I will not fail
To keep to the course of truth!’
For this is the way, and the only way -
At least so it seems to me.
It is up to you, to be, and do,
What you look for in others. See?
Other works by Ella Wheeler Wilcox...
