In the morning’s light advancing,
Forward bounds a gallant steed,
Deck’d with Beauty’s goodly housing,
Shod with Youth, Health, Strength, and
Speed.
Who will mount the fearless courser?
Who can ride him to the goal-
With the spur of Emulation,
And the check of Self-control,
Perseverance’ solid saddle,
Prudence’ trusty bridle-rein,
Enterprise’ elastic stirrup,
And Experience’ curb of pain?
Who will mount the gallant courser?
Who can ride him to the goal-
Thro’ the paths of life uneven,
To the temple of the soul?
But be wary!-ah, be wary!
Long the road, the time unknown
And, at morn, the rein is wanting
And, at eve, the spur is flown.
And, ere noon arrives, the rider
Oft so far has gone astray
That, when evening’s twilight deepens,
He has not recall’d the way.
Then be cautious at the starting,
Tho’ the path be smooth and clear;
For the time-the time of spurring-
Is when home and night are near.
(Ernest Jones)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Night Poems, Time Poems, Soul Poems, Youth Poems, Pain Poems, Morning Poems, Health Poems, Will & Determination Poems, Goals Poems, Moderation & Temperance PoemsBased on Keywords: emulation, courser, housing, spurring, stirrup, bridle-rein, time-the