Blucher's "Forwards !” I. BRAVO! brave old Teuton heart, Noble "Marshal Forwards!" Bravo! every better part, Nature, Providence, and Art,— Agrees in going forwards; If we gain, to gain the more, Ever marching forwards; G If we lose,-by swift attack Soon to win those losses back By the rule of-Forwards! II. Forwards! it's the way of life, Always urging forwards, Be it peace, or be it strife, Stagnant-ripe, or tempest-rife, All is moving forwards; Generations live and die, Stars are journeying on the sky By the law of forwards; Space and Time, and you, and I, And all-but GOD's Eternity Tend for ever forwards! III. So, good youth, go on and win! Conquest lives in forwards; Go, if once you well begin, Steering clear of self and sin, Forwards, ever forwards! Never could the foe withstand Honest Blucher's one command, Forwards, soldiers! forwards, Never shall the foe be met Bold enough to front thee yet, If thy face is forwards! Aspire. ++HIGHER, higher, ever higher,Let thy watchword be "Aspire!" Noble Christian youth; Whatsoe'er be God's behest, Try to do that duty best In the strength of Truth. Let a just Ambition fire Every motive and desire GOD and man to serve; Man, with zeal and honour due, GOD, with gratitude most true, And all the spirit's nerve! Let not Doubt thine efforts tire, GOD will give what all require,— Raiment, home, and food; And with these contented well, Bid thine aspirations swell To the Highest Good! From the perils deep and dire Of Temptation's sensual mire Keep thy chasten'd feet; Dread, and hate, and turn away From the lure that leads astray, Satan's pleasure-cheat! And, while thus a self-denier, Stand the stalworth self-relier, Bravely battling on, Though alone, no soul alive Ever stoutly dared to strive But saw the battle won! |