Poetry Archives

Over and over the task was set,
   Over and over I slighted the work,
But ever and alway I knew that yet
   I must face and finish the toil I shirk.

Over and over the whip of pain
   Has spurred and punished with blow on blow;
As ever and alway I tried in vain
   To shun the labour I hated so.

Over and over I came this way
   For just one purpose:  O stubborn soul!
Turn with a will to your work to-day,
   And learn the lesson of SELF-CONTROL.