In the long run fame finds the deserving man. <br />The lucky wight may prosper for a day, <br />But in good time true merit leads the van, <br />And vain pretense, unnoticed, goes its way. <br />There is no Chance, no Destiny, no Fate, <br />But Fortune smiles on those who work and wait, <br />In the long run. <br /> <br />In the long run all goodly sorrow pays, <br />There is no better thing than righteous pain, <br />The sleepless nights, the awful thorn-crowned days, <br />Bring sure reward to tortured soul and brain. <br />Unmeaning joys enervate in the end, <br />But sorrow yields a glorious dividend <br />In the long run. <br /> <br />In the long run all hidden things are known, <br />The eye of truth will penetrate the night, <br />And good or ill, thy secret shall be known, <br />However well 't is guarded from the light. <br />All the unspoken motives of the breast <br />Are fathomed by the years and stand confest <br />In the long run. <br /> <br />In the long run all love is paid by love, <br />Though undervalued by the hosts of earth; <br />The great eternal Governemnt above <br />Keeps strict account and will redeem its worth. <br />Give thy love freely; do not count the cost; <br />So beautiful a thing was never lost <br />In the long run.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-the-long-run/
