Obedience
If you're told to do a thing,
And mean to do it really,
Never let it be by halves;
Do it fully, freely.
Do not make a poor excuse,
Waiting, weak, unsteady;
All obedience worth the name
Must be prompt and ready.
When father calls, though pleasant be
The play you are pursuing,
Do not any, "I'll come when I
Have finished what I'm doing."
If you're told to learn a task,
And you should begin it,
Do not tell your teacher, "Yes,
I'm coming in a minute."
Waste not moments, nor your words,
In telling what you could do
Some other time; the present is
The time for what you should do.
Don't do right unwillingly,
And stop to plan and measure;
'Tis working with the heart and soul
That makes our duty pleasure.
—Select