The Daily Astorian

One step and then another.
And the longest walk is ended.
One stitch and then another.
And the largest rent is mended.
One brick upon another.
And the highest wall is made.
One flake upon another.
And the deepest snow is laid.
So the little coral-workers
By their slow and constant toil
Have built those pretty islands
In the distant dark-blue sea.
And noble undertakings
Man's great history achieves.
By oft-repeated efforts
Have been patiently achieved.
Then, do not look disheartened
At the work you have to do.
And say that such a mighty task
You never can get through.
But just endeavor day by day
Another point to gain.
And soon the mountain which you feared
Will prove to be a plain.
Rome was not built in a day,
The ancient proverb teaches.
And nature by her trees and flowers
The same lesson preaches.
Think not of far-off duties,
But of duties which are near.
And, having once begun to work,
Resolve to persevere.