Cheerfulness (In Dactylics.) Poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper

Lover of goodness, and friend to the beautiful,
Ever go forth with a smile on thy cheek,
Knowing that God will prosper the dutiful,
Gladden the holy, and honour the meek;
Ever go on, though thy fortune be rigorous,
Bearing as Providence wisely may will,
Strong in good conscience, with energy vigorous,
Building up good, and demolishing ill.

There is a spirit, that sadly and tearfully
Goes to its duties, a slave to its tasks;
There is a spirit that stoutly and cheerfully
Toils in the sunshine, and toils as it basks;
Both may be labouring, ripely and readily,
Christians and husbandmen tilling the soil,
But the one sings, while he labours so steadily,
And the sad other sheds tears at his toil.

Be of this wiser and better fraternity,
Nursing contentedness still in thy breast;
So shall thy heart, for time and eternity,
Patient and strong, be for ever at rest:
Peace is the portion of hopeful audacity,
Routing the worst and securing the best,
And the keen vision of Christian sagacity
Sees for us all, that we al lmay be blest!