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Before the Start

From the Rock Island Argus, June 5, 1914. By Henry Howland.

Stay, you that proudly plan to dare
    And you that seek to do:
Before you hurry forth to try
To proudly plant your standard high,
    An honest word with you.

Who seeks to raise himself above
    The level of the crowd
Must drag through many a slough of woe
And suffer many a blinding blow
    And oft sit humbly bowed.

For every little gain he makes
    Who tries to take the lead
A hundred disappointments leave
Their impress on him; to achieve
    The heart must often bleed.

Stay, you that plan to gain renown
    Or play a splendid part:
Ten thousand sore discouragements
Upon your heart shall leave their dents
    Before you get a start.

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