How Did You Die?

Grant at Ft. Donelson demanded unconditional and immediate surrender. At Appomattox he offered as lenient terms as victor ever extended to vanquished. Why the difference? The one event was at the beginning of the war, when the enemy's morale must be shaken. The other was at the end of the conflict, when a brave and noble adversary had been rendered helpless. In his quiet way Grant showed himself one of nature's gentlemen. He also taught a great lesson. No honor can be too great for the man, be he even our foe, who has steadily and uncomplainingly done his very best--and has failed.

  Did you tackle that trouble that came your way

    With a resolute heart and cheerful?

  Or hide your face from the light of day

    With a craven soul and fearful?

  Oh, 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 licked that counts;

    It's how did you fight--and why?

  And though you be done to the death, what then?

    If you battled the best you could,

  If you played your part in the world of men,

    Why, the Critic 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 you're dead that counts,

    But only how did you die?

                     by Edmund Vance Cooke

                     from "Impertinent Poems."