To A Young Man

"Jones write a book! Impossible! I knew his father." This attitude towards distinction of any sort, whether in authorship or in the field of action, is characteristic of many of us. We think transcendent ability is entirely above and apart from the things of ordinary life. Yet genius itself has been defined as common sense in an uncommon degree. The great men are human. Shakespeare remembered this when he said, "I think the king is but a man as I am." We should take heart at the thought that since the great are like us, we may develop ourselves until we are like them.

The great were once as you.

They whom men magnify to-day

Once groped and blundered on life's way,

Were fearful of themselves, and thought

By magic was men's greatness wrought.

They feared to try what they could do;

Yet Fame hath crowned with her success

The selfsame gifts that you possess.

The great were young as you,

Dreaming the very dreams you hold,

Longing yet fearing to be bold,

Doubting that they themselves possessed

The strength and skill for every test,

Uncertain of the truths they knew,

Not sure that they could stand to fate

With all the courage of the great.

Then came a day when they

Their first bold venture made,

Scorning to cry for aid.

They dared to stand to fight alone,

Took up the gauntlet life had thrown,

Charged full-front to the fray,

Mastered their fear of self, and then,

Learned that our great men are but men.

Oh, youth, go forth and do!

You, too, to fame may rise;

You can be strong and wise.

Stand up to life and play the man—

You can if you'll but think you can;

The great were once as you.

You envy them their proud success?

'Twas won with gifts that you possess.

                           by Edgar Albert Guest