Page:Excellent ancient adages, together with notes on the writings of Chinese romanized in the Hokkien dialect.djvu/76

This page needs to be proofread.
69

29. Vice ever ends in wretchedness,
Virtue’s reward is happiness.

30. A foot of jade is worthless stone,
Make every inch of time your own.

31. Serving your prince and your parents,
With strict cares and due reverence.

32. In filial duties strain each nerve,
And do your country’s cause to serve,

33. Take heed as if some danger nigh,
Betimes your parents’ wants supply.

34. Thus the sweet larkspur and the pine,
In you their richnesses combine.

35. Each rippling brook and limpid stream,
True emblems of your goodness seem.

36. Your mien should be serenely staid,
Each word you utter duly weigh’d.

37. Great care upon beginnings spend,
And so continue to the end.

38. Fortune and fame you’re sure to seize,
With glorious principles like these.

39. Rank, and the numerous cares of state,
Success in learning’s path await.

40. Your memory like the pear-tree prized.
Your name in song immortalized.

41. Music for various ranks is set,
For each a different etiquette.

42. Let peace mongst high and lowly reign,
The housewife sings her husband’s strain.

43. To teachers due attention pay,
All your mother’s kind words obey.