Life's Purpose

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,

Life is but an empty dream!

For the soul is dead that slumbers,

And things are not what they seem

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou are., to dust thou returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment. and not sorrow,

Is our destined end or way;

But to act, that each tomorrow

Find us farther than today.

Lives of greed men all remind as

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints in the sands of time

Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving. still pursuing,

Learn to labour and to wait.