DO not count, when day is o'er,
Daily loss from life's rich store ;
But the gains, however small,
Count them daily, one and all :

Every sweet and gracious word,
Every pleasant truth you've heard ;
Every tender glance and tone,
Every kindly deed you've known ;

Every duty nobly done,
Every rightful victory won -
Treasure all, and count them o'er
As a miser counts his store.

But if bitter word or thought
Have a bitter harvest brought ;
If some foeman hath assailed you,
Or the friend most trusted failed you ;

If unkindness and untruth
Have to you brought saddest ruth,
Blot the score without delay -
Keep no record of the day.

Keep no record of the care,
Loss and cross we all must bear ;
On the page of memory write
Only what is fair and bright.

Let all evil things go by ;
Still, with brave endeavor, try
Simple joys to multiply.
Thus you'll learn how large a sum
Will with faithful reckoning come.

Long as after cloud and rain
Blessed sunshine comes again,
Long as after winter's gloom
Summer roses bud and bloom,

Long as we have with us here
One sad heart that we may cheer,
Long as love gilds sorrow's cross,
Life's rich gain o'erpays the loss.