Not once or twice in our rough island story,
The path of duty was the way to glory.

Not once or twice in our rough island story,
The path of duty was the way to glory.

But what is your duty? What the day demands.
[Ger., Was aber ist deine Pflicht? Die Forderung des Tages.]

But what is your duty? What the day demands.
[Ger., Was aber ist deine Pflicht? Die Forderung des Tages.]

Take up the White Man's burden.

Take up the White Man's burden.

If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself.

If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself.

If we believe a thing to be bad, and if we have a right to
prevent it, it is read more

If we believe a thing to be bad, and if we have a right to
prevent it, it is our duty to try to prevent it and to damn the
consequences.

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always
declares that it is his duty.

When a stupid man is doing something he is ashamed of, he always
declares that it is his duty.

Left that command
Sole daughter of his voice.

Left that command
Sole daughter of his voice.

And rank for her meant duty, various,
Yet equal in its worth, done worthily.
Command was service; read more

And rank for her meant duty, various,
Yet equal in its worth, done worthily.
Command was service; humblest service done
By willing and discerning souls was glory.

I slept and dreamed that life was Beauty;
I woke, and found that life was Duty:--
Was read more

I slept and dreamed that life was Beauty;
I woke, and found that life was Duty:--
Was thy dream then a shadowy lie?