The poem
Man Naturally loves delay, And to procrastinate; Business put off from day to day Is always done to late.
Let ever hour be in its place Firm fixed, nor loosely shift, And well enjoy the vacant space, As though a birthday gift.
And when the hour arrives, be there, Where'er that "there" may be; Uncleanly hands or ruffled hair Let no one ever see.
If dinner at "half-past" be placed, At "half-past" then be dressed. If at a "quarter-past" make haste To be down with the rest
Better to be before you time, Than e're to be behind; To open the door while strikes the chime, That shows a punctual mind.
Moral:
Let punctuality and care Seize every flitting hour, So shalt thou cull a floweret fair, E'en from a fading flower