WORTH LIVING
Is life worth living? Yes, so long
As there is wrong to right.
Wail of the weak against the strong,
Or tyranny to fight;
As long as there lingers gloom to chase,
Or streaming tear to dry,
One kindred woe, one sorrowing face
That smiles as we draw nigh;
Long as a tale of anguish swells The heart, and lids grow wet
And at the sound of Christmas bells
We pardon and forget;
So long as faith with Freedom reigns,
And loyal hope survives;
And gracious clarity remains
To leaven lowly lives;
While there is one untrodden tract
For intellect or will,
And men are free to think and act
Life is worth living still.
~Alfred Austin