Poem: “Answering Him” by Edgar A. Guest

A Heap o’ Livin’

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American Literature – American Poetry – Edgar A. Guest – Poems by Edgar A. Guest – A Heap o’ Livin’
< < < The Man Who Couldn’t Save
Father And Son > > >

Answering Him

  “When shall I be a man?” he said,
  As I was putting him to bed.
  “How many years will have to be
  Before Time 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 sat 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 shall 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 than 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 a creed, you’ll be a man.”

< < < The Man Who Couldn’t Save
Father And Son > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Edgar A. Guest – Poems by Edgar A. Guest – A Heap o’ Livin’

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