Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DWARF AND GIANT, by WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DWARF AND GIANT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As on through life's journey we go,day by day
Last Line: "and dare for the right to say always, ""I can!"
Subject(s): Human Behavior; Idleness; Life; Perseverance; Conduct Of Life; Human Nature; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence


AS on through Life's journey we go, day by day,
There are two whom we meet at each turn of the way,
To help or to hinder—to bless or to ban,
And the names of these two are "I Can't" and "I Can!"

"I Can't" is a dwarf, a poor, pale, puny imp,
His eyes are half blind and his walk is a limp,
He stumbles and falls, or lies writhing in fits,
And for those who would help him plants snares and digs pits.

"I Can" is a giant, unbending he stands,
There is strength in his arms, and skill in his hands,
He asks for no favors, he wants but a share
Where labor is honest and wages are fair.

"I Can't" is a sluggard, too lazy to work,
From duty he shrinks, every task he will shirk,
No bread on his board and no meal in his bag,
His house is a ruin, his coat is a rag.

"I Can" is a worker, he tills the broad fields,
And digs from the Earth all the wealth which it yields,
The hum of his spindles begins with the light,
And the fires of his forges are blazing all night.

"I Can't" is a coward, half fainting with fright,
At the first thought of peril he slinks out of sight,
Skulks and hides till the noise of the battle is past,
Or sells his best friends and turns traitor at last.

"I Can" is a hero, the first in the field,
Though others may falter, he never will yield,
He makes the long marches, he deals the last blow,
His charge is the whirlwind that scatters the foe.

And how grandly and nobly he stands to his trust,
When roused at the call of a cause that is just,
He weds his strong will to the valor of youth,
And writes on his banners the watchword of Truth.

Then up and be doing, the day is not long,
Throw fear to the winds, be patient and strong;
Stand fast in your place, act your part like a man,
And dare for the Right to say always, "I Can!"





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