OH! be something!—Oh! be something!— Let those words ring in your ears, As you struggle up Fame's ladder, Half distract 'twixt hopes and fears. Oh, be sure the great Creator Never meant that man should be A useless, worthless creature, Fed by society! Then onward, onward struggle, Till you reach the topmost round Of that ladder, which, @3to each man's eyes By his best hope is crowned!@1 But the man that 'tempts this ladder, Without his end in view; Is certain to be trodden down By the chosen, earnest few. Then, be something!—Oh! be something! For be certain none can e'er Successful climb Fame's ladder, Without a purpose there! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO GALLANT FRANCE by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 6. SUNSET IN THE TROPICS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ON A YOUNG LADY'S SIXTH ANNIVERSARY by KATHERINE MANSFIELD NAMES by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE TO THE MEMORY OF MR. OLDHAM by JOHN DRYDEN |