Right and left the leaders wheel, <br />Seeking gap and gate, <br />Catch his head and give him heel! <br />Ride your country straight! <br />Fences are by fortune made, <br />Not by rule of thumb. <br />Lash him at them unafraid! <br />Take 'em as they come! <br />Hedges may be rough and rank, <br />Thick and three feet through, <br />Doubled with a ditch or bank- <br />What's the odds to you! <br />Some are standing six feet high, <br />Twined and twisted some. <br />Never mind 'em! Have a fly ! <br />Take 'em as they come! <br />Walls and stiles and cattle-gates, <br />Ash and oaken rails- <br />These as fashioned by the fates <br />Slack the slacker's sails, <br />Turn the laggard from his line, <br />Turn the timid numb- <br />All the better chance to shine! <br />Take 'em as they come! <br />When our paltry years are past, <br />Triumphs and regrets, <br />Whether we went slow or fast <br />Soon the world forgets. <br />Lucky if some friend should tell, <br />Handing on your fame, <br />‘Good 'un! Always went like Hell ! <br />Took 'em as they came!'<br /><br />William Henry Ogilvie<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/as-they-come/
