John Godfrey Saxe
I'LL FIND A WAY OR MAKE IT.
IT WAS A NOBLE ROMAN, IN ROME'S IMPERIAL DAY,
WHO HEARD A COWARD CROAKER, BEFORE THE CASTE SAY,-
"THEY'RE SAFE IN SUCH A FORTRESS; THERE IS NO WAY TO SHAKE IT"!
"ON! ON!" EXCLAIMED THE HERO; "I'LL FIND A WAY, OR MAKE IT."
IS FAME YOUR ASPIRATION? HER PATH IS STEEP AND HIGH;
IN VAIN HE SEEKS HER TEMPLE; CONTENT TO GAZE AND SIGH.
THE SHINING THRONE IS WAITING, BUT HE ALONE CAN TAKE IT
WHO SAYS WITH ROMAN FIRMNESS, "I'LL FIND A WAY OR MAKE IT"!
IS LEARNING YOUR AMBITION? THERE IS NO ROYAL ROAD;
ALIKE THE PEER AND PEASANT MUST CLIMB TO HER ABODE;
WHO FEELS THE THURST FOR KNOWLEDGE , IN HELICON MAY SLAKE IT,
IF HE HAS STILL THE ROMAN WILL, "TO FIND A WAY, OR MAKE IT!"
ARE RICHES WORTH THE GETTING? THEY MUST BE BRAVELY SOUGHT;
WITH WISHING AND WITH FRETTING THE BOON CANNOT BE BOUGHT;
TO ALL THE PRIZE IS OPEN, BUT ONLY HE CAN TAKE IT,
WHO SAYS, WITH ROMAN COURAGE, "I'LL FIND A WAY, OR MAKE IT !"
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