Two Sides of the Medal
"I will into the world, I will make me a name,
I will fight for truth, I will fight for fame,
I will win pure love, and when I die
The world shall praise me, worthily."
He entered the world—he fought for fame;
They twined him the thorny wreath of shame.
I met him once more full suddenly;
His face was seamed with misery.
"Have you fought for truth? have you worked in vain?
Have you gained pure love without a stain?
Is your name yet great? Will it ever be?
Are you praised of all men, worthily?"
He did not answer—he did not speak,
But waited awhile with a reddened cheek,
Then, trembling, faltering, and looking down—
Good heavens, he asked me for half a crown!
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in 1881, before the cutoff of January 1, 1929.
The longest-living author of this work died in 1936, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 87 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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