In Life’s Play

Can’t all be prima donnas

     Upon the great world’s stage;

Can’t all be star performers

     And all be all the rage.

But each can do a little

     To please the weary ear;

Each one can hum or whistle

     A little song of cheer.

Can’t all stand in the spotlight

     With brilliant speech or song,

And win the noisy plaudits

     Of the excited throng.

But in the role of hero

     Each actor can appear,

And speak, if that is only,

     His little word of cheer.

Feb. 17, 1910