Mencius

  Three centuries before the Christian age
  China's great teacher, Mencius, was born;
  Her teeming millions did not know that morn
  Had broken on her darkness; that a sage,
  Reared by a noble mother, would her page
  Of history forevermore adorn.
  For twenty years, from court to court, forlorn
  He journeyed, poverty his heritage,
  And preached of virtue, but none cared to hear.
  Life seemed a failure, like a barren rill;
  He wrote his books, and lay beneath the sod:
  When, lo! his work began; and far and near
  Adown the ages Mencius preaches still:
  Do thy whole duty, trusting all to God.