Classic Poem

Let me today do something that will take
— A little sadness from the world's vast store,
And may I be so favored as to make
— Of joy's too scanty sum a little more.

Let me not hurt, by any selfish deed
— Or thoughtless word, the heart of foe or friend.
Nor would I pass unseeing worthy need,
— Or sin by silence when I should defend.

However meager be my worldly wealth,
— Let me give something that shall aid my kind —
A word of courage, or a thought of health
— Dropped as I pass for troubled hearts to find.

Let me tonight look back across the span
— 'Twixt dawn and dark, and to my conscience say —
Because of some good act to beast or man —
— " The world is better that I lived today. "

Let me today do something that will take
— A little sadness from the world's vast store,
And may I be so favored as to make
— Of joy's too scanty sum a little more.

Let me not hurt, by any selfish deed
— Or thoughtless word, the heart of foe or friend.
Nor would I pass unseeing worthy need,
— Or sin by silence when I should defend.

However meager be my worldly wealth,
— Let me give something that shall aid my kind —
A word of courage, or a thought of health
— Dropped as I pass for troubled hearts to find.

Let me tonight look back across the span
— 'Twixt dawn and dark, and to my conscience say —
Because of some good act to beast or man —
— " The world is better that I lived today. "