The Boy’s Opportunity Poem by James Ephraim McGirt

Hail happy youths, now in your prime,
Be up, awake, waste not your time;
For fast is coming on the day,
You'll wish the time you waste away.

So well I know you are a boy,
I do not care to stop your joy;
But very soon you'll be a man,
And for your self you'll have to plan.

These wasted days and foolish cares,
You'll think of them again in tears;
And when misfortune drives you mad,
You'll wish the time you once have had.

No matter then how you may yearn,
The time once spent will not return;
But now my boys your minds are free,
Think of the man you hope to be.

Pray study hard, your pennies save,
Always be truthful ever brave;
And when a man you'll come to be,
You'll think of what was said by me.