Things For Rainy Days

Happy Warrior

Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he 

That every man in arms should wish to be? 

--It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought 

Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought 

Upon the plan that pleased his boyish thought: 

Whose high endeavours are an inward light 

That makes the path before him always bright; 

Who, with a natural instinct to discern 

What knowledge can perform, is diligent to learn; 

Abides by this resolve, and stops not there, 

But makes his moral being his prime care;

Who, doomed to go in company with Pain,

And Fear, and Bloodshed, miserable train! 

Turns his necessity to glorious gain; 

In face of these doth exercise a power 

Which is our human nature's highest dower: 

Controls them and subdues, transmutes, bereaves 

Of their bad influence, and their good receives: 

By objects, which might force the soul to abate 

Her feeling, rendered more compassionate; 

Is placable--because occasions rise 

So often that demand such sacrifice; 

More skilful in self-knowledge, even more pure, 

As tempted more; more able to endure, 

As more exposed to suffering and distress; 

Thence, also, more alive to tenderness. 

--'Tis he whose law is reason; who depends 

Upon that law as on the best of friends; 

Whence, in a state where men are tempted still 

To evil for a guard against worse ill, 

And what in quality or act is best 

Doth seldom on a right foundation rest, 

He labours good on good to fix, and owes 

To virtue every triumph that he knows: 

--Who, if he rise to station of command, 

Rises by open means; and there will stand

On honourable terms, or else retire, 

And in himself possess his own desire;