BETTER.

There's only one motto you need

To succeed:

“Better.”

To other man's winning? Then you

Must do

Better.

From the baking of bread

To the breaking a head,

From rhyming a ballad

To sliming a salad,

From mending of ditches

To spending of riches,

Follow the rule to the uttermost letter:

“Better!”

Of course you may say but a few

Can do

Better;

And you're going to strive

So that all may thrive

Better.

And it's right you are

To follow the star,

Set in the heavens, afar, afar;

But still with your eyes

On the skies

It is wise

To be riding a mule,

Or guiding a school,

Thatching a hovel

Or hatching a novel,

Foretelling weather,

Or selling shoe-leather;

And remember you must

Be doing it just

A wee dust

Better.

And‘ tis quite

As right

For you to cite

That the author might,

Or ought, to write

A heavenly sight

Better!

For which sharp word I am much your debtor,

Knowing none other could file my fetter

Better.