Opportunity

One of the highlights of the Moran Music Room is the Tiffany chandelier depicting Greek figures and the arts. Appearing on the chandelier is a poem called “Opportunity,” written in 1891 by retired Senator John James Ingalls of Kansas. A nice setting for the poem as Robert Moran certainly followed his opportunities!


OPPORTUNITY

Master of human destinies am I!
Fame, love and fortune on my on my footsteps wait.
Cities and fields I walk –
I penetrate deserts and sea remote,
And passing by hovel and martland palace - soon or late,
I knock unbidden once on every gate!
If sleeping, wake –
If feasting, rise,
Before I turn away.
It is the hour of fate,
And they who follow me reach every state.
Mortals desire, conquer every foe save death,
But those who doubt or hesitate,
Condemn to failure, penury and woe.
Seek me in vain and uselessly implore,
I answer not, and return no more!

John James Ingalls 1891