For Those Who Fail

by Joaquin Miller (1841? – 1913)

"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.

O 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 fights on,

Lo! he is the twin-born brother of mine!