A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
b"Longfellow read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\\n\\nGiving voice to classic poetry.\\n\\n---------------------------------------------------\\n\\nA Psalm of Life \\n\\nby Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 \\u2013 1882)\\n\\nTELL me not, in mournful numbers, \\n Life is but an empty dream!\\u2014 \\nFor the soul is dead that slumbers, \\n And things are not what they seem. \\n \\nLife is real! Life is earnest! \\n And the grave is not its goal; \\nDust thou art, to dust returnest, \\n Was not spoken of the soul. \\n \\nNot enjoyment, and not sorrow, \\n Is our destined end or way; \\nBut to act, that each to-morrow \\n Find us farther than to-day. \\n \\nArt is long, and Time is fleeting, \\n And our hearts, though stout and brave, \\nStill, like muffled drums, are beating \\n Funeral marches to the grave. \\n \\nIn the world's broad field of battle, \\n In the bivouac of Life, \\nBe not like dumb, driven cattle! \\n Be a hero in the strife! \\n \\nTrust no Future, howe'er pleasant! \\n Let the dead Past bury its dead! \\nAct,\\u2014act in the living Present! \\n Heart within, and God o'erhead! \\n \\nLives of great men all remind us \\n We can make our lives sublime, \\nAnd, departing, leave behind us \\n Footprints on the sands of time; \\n \\nFootprints, that perhaps another, \\n Sailing o'er life's solemn main, \\nA forlorn and shipwrecked brother, \\n Seeing, shall take heart again. \\n \\nLet us, then, be up and doing, \\n With a heart for any fate; \\nStill achieving, still pursuing, \\n Learn to labor and to wait."