"THE IDEAL MAN"
Reading edition
He should be strong—as strong as Thor of old; And faults of strength 'twere better he possessed Than quavering mind or any lack of zest When the time needs a right arm coolly bold. Truth should to him be what the unpent song Is to the soaring lark; with kindly thought For everything that cold Misfortune's sought; With earnest faith to fight a cause proved wrong.
A heart that finds the best in every man; Impatient he should be at all delay Or if not giv'n at once his own sweet way— (But then a fault or two is Nature's plan), Yet I would wish his chiefest fault should be A wilfulness to see no fault in me!
SEMER WATER.