" When shall I be a man?" he said,
As I was putting him to bed.
"How many years will have to be
Before life makes a man of me?"
"And will I be a man when
I am grown up big?"
I heaved a sigh,
Because it called for careful thought
To give the answer that he sought.
And so I set him on my knee,
And said to him, "A man you'll be."
When you have learned that honor brings
More joy than all the crowns of kings;
That it is better to be true
To all who know and trust in you
Than all the gold of earth to gain
If winning it should leave a stain.
When you can fight for victory sweet,
Yet bravely swallow down defeat,
And cling to hope and keep the right,
Nor use deceit instead of might.
When you are kind and brave and clean,
And fair to all and never mean,
When there is good in all you plan,
That day, my boy, you'll be a man.
Some of us learn this truth too late,
That years alone can't make us great;
That many who are three-score, ten
Have fallen short of being men,
Because in selfishness they fought
And toiled without refining thought;
And whether wrong or whether right,
They lived but for their own delight.
When you have learned that you must hold
Your honor dearer far then gold;
That no ill-gotten wealth or fame
can pay you for your tarnished name;
And when in all you say or do
of others you're considerate, too,
Content to do the best you can
By such creed, you'll be a man.
~ Author ~
Edgar Guest
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