Patriotism

He serves his country best
Who lives pure life and does righteous deed,
And walks straight paths however others stray,
And leaves his sons, as uttermost bequest,
A stainless record which all men may read;
This is the better way.

 No drop but serves the slowly lifting tide;
 No dew but has an errand to some flower;
 No smallest star but sheds some helpful ray.
 And man by man, each helping all the rest,
 Make the firm bulwark of the country's power,
 There is no better way.
                                                                 Susan Coolidge