“THE IDEAL MAN”

He should be strong — as strong as Thor of old;

And faults of strength‘ twere better he possessed

Than quavering mind or any lack of zest

When the time needs a right arm coolly bold.

Truth should to him be what the unpent song

Is to the soaring lark; with kindly thought

For everything that cold Misfortune's sought;

With earnest faith to fight a cause proved wrong.

A heart that finds the best in every man;

Impatient he should be at all delay

Or if not giv'n at once his own sweet way —

( But then a fault or two is Nature's plan ),

Yet I would wish his chiefest fault should be

A wilfulness to see no fault in me!