Poems (Sharpless)/The Advice of Chaucer-Modernized

Poems
by Frances M. Sharpless
The Advice of Chaucer-Modernized
4648381Poems — The Advice of Chaucer-ModernizedFrances M. Sharpless
THE ADVICE OF CHAUCER—MODERNIZED
Fly thou the crowd, and live in honesty;
Hoarding breeds hate; who climbs must risk a fall;
Ambition feedeth envy; do thou be
Content with what is thine, though it be small,
Not craving all thou seest; wealth dazzles all;
Watch thy own steps, thou so alert to see
Another's slip, and truth shall make thee free.

Strive not in vain the crooked to make straight;
But trust to Time that bringeth round the right;
There is much peace for him who learns to wait,
Nor idly rages 'gainst o'erwhelming might,
But trusts the law that justly doth requite.
Judge thou thy deeds as others';—thou shalt see
Beyond all doubt the truth shall make thee free.

Receive with cheerfulness whate'er is sent;—
Who wrestles with the world must catch a fall;
This earthly life for no long home is meant:—
'Tis but a pilgrimage;—forth, beast, from stall;
Look up on high and thank the Lord of all:—
Conquer thyself, thy conscience ruling thee,
And never doubt that truth shall make thee free.