Friends and Neighbors; Or, Two Ways of Living in the World

KEEP IN STEP.

     Those who would walk together must keep in step.

     —OLD PROVERB.

     AY, the world keeps moving forward,
       Like an army marching by;
     Hear you not its heavy footfall,
       That resoundeth to the sky?
     Some bold spirits bear the banner—
       Souls of sweetness chant the song,—
     Lips of energy and fervour
       Make the timid-hearted strong!
     Like brave soldiers we march forward;
       If you linger or turn back,
     You must look to get a jostling
       While you stand upon our track.
         Keep in step.

     My good neighbour, Master Standstill,
       Gazes on it as it goes;
     Not quite sure but he is dreaming,
       In his afternoon's repose!
     “Nothing good,” he says, “can issue
       From this endless moving on;
     Ancient laws and institutions
       Are decaying, or are gone.
     We are rushing on to ruin,
       With our mad, new-fangled ways.”
      While he speaks a thousand voices,
       As the heart of one man, says—
         “Keep in step!”

     Gentle neighbour, will you join us,
       Or return to “good old ways?”
      Take again the fig-leaf apron
       Of Old Adam's ancient days;—
     Or become a hardy Briton—
       Beard the lion in his lair,
     And lie down in dainty slumber
       Wrapped in skins of shaggy bear,—
     Rear the hut amid the forest,
       Skim the wave in light canoe?
     Ah, I see! you do not like it.
       Then if these “old ways” won't do,
         Keep in step.

     Be assured, good Master Standstill,
       All-wise Providence designed
     Aspiration and progression
       For the yearning human mind.
     Generations left their blessings,
       In the relies of their skill,
     Generations yet are longing
       For a greater glory still;
     And the shades of our forefathers
       Are not jealous of our deed—
     We but follow where they beckon,
       We but go where they do lead!
         Keep in step.

     One detachment of our army
       May encamp upon the hill,
     While another in the valley
       May enjoy its own sweet will;
     This, may answer to one watchword,
       That, may echo to another;
     But in unity and concord,
       They discern that each is brother!
     Breast to breast they're marching onward,
       In a good now peaceful way;
     You'll be jostled if you hinder,
       So don't offer let or stay—
         Keep in step.