FOR THOSE WHO FAIL.
Reading edition
"All honor to him who shall win the prize," The world has cried for a thousand years, But to him who tries and who fails and dies I give great honor and glory and tears. Give glory and honor and pitiful tears To all who fail in their deeds sublime, Their ghosts are many in the van of years, They were born with Time in advance of Time. Oh, great is the hero who wins a name, But greater many and many a time Some pale-faced fellow who dies in shame And lets God finish the thought sublime. And great is the man with a sword undrawn, And good is the man who refrains from wine; But the man who fails and yet still fights on, Lo, he is the twin-born brother of mine.
—Joaquin Miller.