If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley — but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
...
Sure, this world is full of trouble
I ain't said it ain't.
Lord, I've had enough and double
...
Fine men have walked this way before,
Whatever Lodge your Lodge may be;
Whoever stands before the door,
...
Let no king quite put off his crown!
I still would have him kingly when
In some old inn the king sat down
...
The Little Lodge of long ago —
It wasn't very much for show;
Men met above the village store,
...
Brick by brick the Masons builded
Till the highest cross was gilded
With the glory of the sun,
Till the noble task was done.
...
Men say, 'How wonderful is Spring!'
I say, 'How marvelous is man!'
For Spring no more can gladness bring
...
Some would have Spring within the heart,
But I, some mellow month in mine
Like old October: flowers depart,
...
We'll twine some holly on the chandelier,
We'll hang a 'Merry Christmas!' on the wall;
Remember, brothers, Christmas time is near,
...
Oh, his hair was a white as the snow that we tread,
With a little black cap on the back of his head,
And he trembled a bit, but I saw in his eyes
...