Learn To Like

School yourself to savour most
Joys that have but little cost;
Prove the best of life is free,
Sun and stars and sky and sea;
Eager in your eyes to please,
Proffer meadows, brooks and trees;
Nature strives for your content,
Never charging you a cent.

Learn to love a garden gay,
Flowers and fruit in rich array.
Care for dogs and singing birds,
Have for children cheery words.
Find plain food and comfort are
More than luxury by far.
Music, books and honest friends
Outweigh golden dividends.

Love your work and do it well,
Scorning not a leisure spell.
Hold the truest form of wealth
Body fit and ruddy health.
Let your smile of happiness
Rustic peace serenely stress:
Home to love and heart to pray--
Thank your God for every day.

More poems by Robert Service

Brave New World

One spoke: Come, let us gaily go / With laughter, love and lust,

Robert Service

Brother Jim

My brother Jim's a millionaire, / while I have scarce a penny;

Robert Service

My Rocking-Chair

When I am old and worse for wear / I want to buy a rocking-chair,

Robert Service

My Hero

Of all the boys with whom I fought / In Africa and Sicily,

Robert Service

All poems by Robert Service →