How Did You Die? (Edmund Vance Cooke)

 

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?

...You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?

Come up with a smiling face...

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?

...It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,

But only how did you die?