For Those Who Fail

“All honour to him who shall win the prize,” The world has cried for a thousand years; But to him who tries and who fails and dies, I give great honour and glory and tears.

O great is the hero who wins a name, But greater many and many a time Some pale-faced fellow who dies in shame, And lets God finish the thought sublime.

And great is the man with a sword undrawn, And good is the man who refrains from wine; But the man who fails and yet fights on, Lo he is the twin-born brother of mine!