If you would know a happy man, <br /> Go find the fellow who <br />Has had a bout with trouble grim <br /> And just come smiling through. <br /> <br />The load is off his shoulders now, <br /> Where yesterday he frowned <br />And saw no joy in life, to-day <br /> He laughs his way around. <br /> <br />He's done the very thing he thought <br /> That he could never do; <br />His sun is shining high to-day <br /> And all his skies are blue. <br /> <br />He's stronger than he was before; <br /> Should trouble come anew <br />He'll know how much his strength can bear <br /> And how much he can do. <br /> <br />To-day he has the right to smile, <br /> And he may gaily sing, <br />For he has conquered where he feared <br /> The pain of failure's sting. <br /> <br />Comparison has taught him, too, <br /> The sweetest hours are those <br />Which follow on the heels of care, <br /> With laughter and repose. <br /> <br />If you would meet a happy man, <br /> Go find the fellow who <br />Has had a bout with trouble grim <br /> And just come smiling through.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-happy-man-5/
