For the Man Who Fails
The world is a snob, and the man who winsIs the chap for its money’s worth:And the lust for success causes half of the sinsThat are cursing this brave old earth.For it ‘s fine to go up, and the world’s applauseIs sweet to the mortal ear;But the man who fails in a noble causeIs a hero that ‘s no less dear.
‘T is true enough that the laurel crownTwines but for the victor’s brow;For many a hero has lain him downWith naught but the cypress bough.There are gallant men in the losing fight,And as gallant deeds are doneAs ever graced the captured heightOr the battle grandly won.
We sit at life’s board with our nerves highstrung,And we play for the stake of Fame,And our odes are sung and our banners hungFor the man who wins the game.But I have a song of another kindThan breathes in these fame-wrought gales,—An ode to the noble heart and mindOf the gallant man who fails!
The man who is strong to fight his fight,And whose will no front can daunt,If the truth be truth and the right be right,Is the man that the ages want.Tho’ he fail and die in grim defeat,Yet he has not fled the strife,And the house of Earth will seem more sweetFor the perfume of his life.