Thou whom chance may hither lead,
Be thou clad in russet weed,
Be thou deckt in silken stole,
Grave these maxims on thy soul: -

Life is but a day at most,
Sprung from night in darkness lost;
Hope not sunshine every hour,
Fear not clouds will always lour.
Happiness is but a name,
Make content and ease thy aim.
Ambition is a meteor-gleam;
Fame a restless airy dream;
Pleasures, insects on the wing
Round Peace, th' tend'rest flow'r of spring;
Those that sip the dew alone -
Make the butterflies thy own;
Those that would the bloom devour -
Crush the locusts, save the flower.
For the future be prepar'd:
Guard wherever thou can'st not shun.
But, thy utmost duly done,
Welcome what thou can'st not shun.
Follies past give thou to air -
Make their consequence thy care.
Keep the name of Man in mind,
And dishonour not thy kind.
Reverence with lowly heart
Him, whose wondrous work thou art;
Keep His Goodness still in view -
Thy trust, and thy example too.

Stranger, go! Heaven be thy guide!
Quod the Beadsman on Nidside.

You whom chance may hither lead,
Be you clad on russet weed,
Be you decked in silken stole,
Engrave these maxims on your soul: -

Life is but a day at most,
Sprung from night in darkness lost;
Hope not sunshine every hour,
Fear not clouds will always lour.
Happiness is but a name,
Make content and ease your aim.
Ambition is a meteor-gleam;
Fame a restless airy dream;
Pleasures, insects on the wing
Round Peace, the tenderest flower of spring;
Those that sip the dew alone -
Make the butterflies your own;
Those that would the bloom devour -
Crush the locusts, save the flower.
For the future be prepared:
Guard wherever you can not shun.
But, your utmost duly done,
Welcome what you can not shun.
Follies past give you to air -
Make their consequence your care.
Keep the name of Man in mind,
And dishonour not your kind.
Reverence with lowly heart
Him, whose wondrous work you are;
Keep His Goodness still in view -
Your trust, and your example too.

Stranger, go! Heaven be your guide!
Quoth (quoted) the Beadsman on Nithtside.