Punctuality

Man Naturally loves delay,

And to procrastinate;

Business put off from day to

Is always done too late.

Let every hour be in its

Firm fixed, nor loosely shift,

And well enjoy the vacant space,

As though a birthday gift.

And when the hour arrives, be there,

Where'er that "there" may be;

Uncleanly hands or ruffled

Let no one ever see.

If dinner at "half-past" be placed,

At "half-past" then be dressed.

If at a "quarter-past" make

To be down with the

Better to be before your time,

Than e're to be behind;

To open the door while strikes the chime,

That shows a punctual mind.

Moral:

Let punctuality and

Seize every flitting hour,

So shalt thou cull a floweret fair,

E'en from a fading flower