- Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
- With a resolute heart and cheerful?
- Or hide your face from the light of day
- With a craven soul and fearful?
- Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce,
- Or a trouble is what you make it,
- And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that
counts,
- But only how did you take it?
- You are beaten to earth? Well, well,
what’s that?
- Come up with a smiling face.
- It’s nothing against you to fall down flat,
- But to lie there—that’s disgrace.
- The harder you’re thrown, why the higher you bounce;
- Be proud of your blackened eye!
- It isn’t the fact that you’re licked that
counts,
- It’s how did you fight—and why?
- And though you be done to the death, what then?
- If you battled the best you could,
- If you played your part in the world of men,
- Why, the Critic will call it good.
- Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
- And whether he’s slow or spry,
- It isn’t the fact that you’re dead that counts,
- But only how did you die?
