IF
I can throw a single ray of
light
Across
the darkened pathway of another;
If
I can aid some soul to clearer sight
Of
life and duty, and thus bless my brother;
If
I can wipe from any human cheek a tear,
I
shall not then have lived in vain while here.
If
I can guide some erring one to truth,
Inspire
within his heart a sense of duty;
If
I can plant within the soul of rosy youth
A
sense of right, a love of truth and beauty;
If
I can teach one man that God and Heaven are near,
I
shall not then have lived in vain while here.
If
from my mind I banish doubt and fear,
And
keep my life attuned to love and kindness;
If
I can scatter light and hope and cheer,
And
help remove the curse of mental blindness;
If
I can make more joy, more hope, less pain,
I
shall not then have lived and loved in vain.
If
by life's roadside I can plant a tree,
Beneath
whose shade some wearied head may rest;
Though
I may never share its shade, or see
Its
beauty, I shall yet be truly blest-
Though
no one knows my name, nor drops a flow'r upon my bier,
I
shall not then have lived in vain while here.
By
B. F. AUSTIN