Did you tackle that trouble that came your way <br />With a resolute heart and cheerful? <br />Or hide your face from the light of day <br />With a craven soul and fearful? <br />Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce, <br />Or a trouble is what you make it, <br />And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts, <br />But only how did you take it? <br /> <br />You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that? <br />Come up with a smiling face. <br />It's nothing against you to fall down flat, <br />But to lie there -- that's disgrace. <br />The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce; <br />Be proud of your blackened eye! <br />It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts, <br />It's how did you fight -- and why? <br /> <br />And though you be done to the death, what then? <br />If you battled the best you could, <br />If you played your part in the world of men, <br />Why, the Critic will call it good. <br />Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce, <br />And whether he's slow or spry, <br />It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts, <br />But only how did you die?<br /><br />Edmund Vance Cooke<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/how-did-you-die-2/
