Were I man grown, I'd stand <br />With clean heart, soul, and hand, <br />An honor to this land. <br /> <br />I would be good and true. <br />I would not <br />smoke <br />and <br />chew <br /> <br />As many grown men do. <br /> <br />Tobacco is foul stuff. <br /> <br />Hogs <br />root it from the trough, <br />And serve it right enough. <br /> <br />I wish I'd every seed <br />And plant of that bad weed, <br />I'd make a fire indeed! <br /> <br />And these two lips of mine <br />Should never <br />taste of wine <br />, <br />Though it might glow and shine. <br /> <br />No wine, no beer, no gin, <br />No ale, no rum-within <br />Each drink lurk shame and sin. <br /> <br />And I'd not swear. Ah! when <br />We boys grow into men, <br />You'll see true manhood then. <br /> <br />For we shall be and do <br />Just what I've said; and you <br />Had better try it, too.<br /><br />Ella Wheeler Wilcox<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/were-i-man-grown/
