American Female Poets [an electronic edition]

THERE'S NO SUCH WORD AS FAIL.

THE proudest motto for the young! Write it in lines of gold Upon thy heart, and in thy mind The stirring words enfold. And in misfortune's dreary hour, Or fortune's prosperous gale, 'T will have a holy, cheering power, "There's no such word as fail."

The sailor, on the stormy sea, May sigh for distant land, And, free and fearless though he be, Wish they were near the strand. But when the storm on angry wings Bears lightning, sleet, and hail, He climbs the slippery mast, and sings "There's no such word as fail."

The wearied student bending o'er The tomes of other days, And dwelling on their magic lore, For inspiration prays. And though with toil his brain is weak, His brow is deadly pale, The language of his heart will speak, "There's no such word as fail."

The wily statesman bends his knee Before fame's glittering shrine, And would an humble suppliant be To Genius so divine. Yet though his progress is full slow, And enemies may rail, He thinks at last the world to show "There's no such word as fail."

The soldier on the battle-plain, When thirsting to be free, And throw aside a tyrant's chain, Says "on for liberty!" Our households, and our native land! We must, we will, prevail! Then foot to foot and hand to hand, "There's no such word as fail."

The child of God, though oft beset By foes without — within, These precious words will ne'er forget Amid their dreadful din; But upward looks with eye of faith, Arm'd with the Christian mail; And in the hottest conflict saith "There's no such word as fail."