rose unto the bights of fame <br />And with the great men stood, <br />He heard the people cheer his name <br />And speak of him as good. <br />Success at last he had attained <br />By toiling day by day; <br />His father's name was unprofaned, <br />His crest of honor was unstained, <br />He earned his way. <br /> <br />He had not sought the easy road <br />Nor tried a doubtful scheme, <br />But he had borne his heavy load <br />Up hill and over stream. <br />He had not stooped to do a wrong <br />That might not be unlearned; <br />But though the way at times seemed long <br />He plodded on with courage strong <br />And every victory earned. <br /> <br />He heard men whisper in the night, <br />That venturing disgrace, <br />And stepping from the path of right <br />But hiding every trace, <br />Were all he had to do to win, <br />That honor could be feigned, <br />But still he kept a lifted chin, <br />Filled with the holy thought within, <br />To earn whate'er he gained. <br /> <br />He rose unto the hights of fame, <br />And with the great men stood; <br />He never compromised with shame, <br />Nor bartered what was good. <br />With head erect he toiled along, <br />With clean hands for the fray, <br />He heard the gossip of the throng <br />That many profited by wrong, <br />But earned his way.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/he-earned-his-way/
