Never Too Late To Mend

Of course, if you mean to catch a train,
The better way is to start in time.
Still, if you’re late.
Don’t rail at fate.
And sob and sigh and wail and wait
For another day,
But sprint away
The very best you can until
You find your vow
To “do it now”
Has somehow made you catch it still;
For the sages say
The world makes way
For the earnest soul that says, “I will!”

If you mean to win in life’s swift race,
The better way is to start in youth;
Still, if you find
You’ve been left behind
By the wiser starters, keep in mind
“Your needs and say,
“I’ll improve each day,
And every hour and each spare minute;
I’ve been careless, yet
I shall try to get
A prize!” And you stand a chance to win it;
But the weak-willed goose
With his “What’s the use?”
Alas! we know he won’t be in it.