“Did you tackle that trouble that came your way.. With Resolute heart and cheerful? Or Hide your face from the light of day.. With craven soul and fearful? A trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce, Or a trouble is what you make it; And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that counts, But only how did you take it? You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what’s that? Come up with a smiling face; It’s nothing against you to fall down flat, But to lie there—that’s disgrace. The harder you’re thrown, why, the higher you bounce, Be proud of your blackened eye! It isn’t the fact that you’re hit that counts, It’s how did you fight—and why? And though you be done to death, what then? If you battled the best you could; If you played your part in the world of men, Why, the critics will call it good. Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce, And whether he’s slow or spry, It isn’t the fact that your dead that counts, But only, how did you die?”
What is this poem saying about Nationalism prior to the start of WWI?
“Did you tackle that trouble that came your way.. With Resolute heart and cheerful? Or Hide your face from the light of day.. With craven soul and fearful? A trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce, Or a trouble is what you make it; And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that counts, But only how did you take it? You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what’s that? Come up with a smiling face; It’s nothing against you to fall down flat, But to lie there—that’s disgrace. The harder you’re thrown, why, the higher you bounce, Be proud of your blackened eye! It isn’t the fact that you’re hit that counts, It’s how did you fight—and why? And though you be done to death, what then? If you battled the best you could; If you played your part in the world of men, Why, the critics will call it good. Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce, And whether he’s slow or spry, It isn’t the fact that your dead that counts, But only, how did you die?”
What is this poem saying about Nationalism prior to the start of WWI?
