Oh, do you know a man who dares To climb the lofty mountain steeps Or swim the mighty ocean's deeps And breast the tide where'er it sweeps In spite of Hell. Oh, do you know that thoroughfares Of precedent are blazed by him Who rushes where no seraphim Dares e'en to tread the outer brim Lest some repel. Oh, do you think mistakes or cares Will swerve him from his purpose high To make his efforts typify The nobler thoughts which underlie Each fearless deed. Oh, do you know not one compares To him who by himself alone Has made his name and deeds be known And e'en usurped the mighty's throne In times of need. Oh, do you know a man who bears Revilings and contumely Because he shows effectively His individuality In every task. If such you know in life's affairs, Go hail him as a citizen Of a free world whose noblemen To ruts and grooves are alien And seek no mask. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DINNER IN A QUICK LUNCH ROOM by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET SONG: SO OFTEN, SO LONG I HAVE THOUGHT by HAYDEN CARRUTH FISH-LEAP FALL by ROBERT FROST OFFERING by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AN EXPLANATION by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON THE HARD TIMES IN ELFLAND; A STORY OF CHRISTMAS EVE by SIDNEY LANIER |