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 n'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.”