We speak the truth; and what care we For hissing and for scorn While some faint gleaming we can see Of Freedom's coming morn!
Let liars fear; let cowards shrink; Let traitors turn away; Whatever we have dared to think, That dare we also say.
He has no enemies, you say? My friend, your boast is poor; He who hath mingled in the fray Of duty, that the brave endure, Must have made foes. If he has none Small is the work that he has done. He has hit no traitor on the hip; He has cast no cup from tempted lip; He has never turned the wrong to right; He has been a coward in the fight.
One deed may mar a life, And one can make it. Hold firm thy will for strife, Lest a quick blow break it! Even now from far, on viewless wing, Hither speeds the nameless thing Shall put thy spirit to the test. Haply or e'er yon sinking sun Shall drop behind the purple West All shall be lost--or won!
In spite of sorrow, loss, and pain, Our course be onward still; We sow on Burmah's barren plain, We reap on Zion's hill.
I find no foeman in the road but Fear. To doubt is failure and to dare success.
Dare to do right! dare to be true! You have a work that no other can do, Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well, Angels will hasten the story to tell.
Dare to do right! dare to be true! Other men's failures can never save you; Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith; Stand like a hero, and battle till death.
Dare to do right! dare to be true! God, who created you, cares for you too; Treasures the tears that his striving ones shed, Counts and protects every hair of your head.
Dare to do right! dare to be true! Keep the great judgment-seat always in view; Look at your work as you'll look at it then-- Scanned by Jehovah, and angels, and men.
Dare to do right! dare to be true! Cannot Omnipotence carry you through? City, and mansion, and throne all in sight-- Can you not dare to be true and do right?
Dare to do right! dare to be true! Prayerfully, lovingly, firmly pursue The path by apostles and martyrs once trod, The path of the just to the city of God.
Pluck wins! It always wins! though days be slow, And nights be dark 'twixt days that come and go, Still pluck will win; its average is sure, He gains the prize who will the most endure; Who faces issues; he who never shirks; Who waits and watches, and who always works.