WHAT man may learn, what man may do, br Of right or wrong of false or true, br While, skipper-like, his course he steers br Through nine and twenty mingled years, br Half misconceived and half forgot, br So much I know and practise not. br br Old are the words of wisdom, old br The counsels of the wise and bold: br To close the ears, to check the tongue, br To keep the pining spirit young; br To act the right, to say the true, br And to be kind whate'er you do. br br Thus we across the modern stage br Follow the wise of every age; br And, as oaks grow and rivers run br Unchanged in the unchanging sun, br So the eternal march of man br Goes forth on an eternal plan.