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