Proofs

The man that can and will
In the rough waters swim,
And calmly keep his courage still —
We know the proof of him.

The man by praise unbought,
And free from haste and whim,
Who speaks aloud his inward thought-
We know the proof of him.

The man who hails the morn,
While yet with dazzling rim
The day's new monarch is unborn —
We know the proof of him.

The man who not for gold
His way will wind and trim,
But rich or poor is just and bold —
We know the proof of him.

The man who will not plead
His weary head and limb,
When love is at its sorest need —
We know the proof of him.

The man who hates excess,
Yet fills up to the brim
His every cup of kindliness —
We know the proof of him.

The man who fears no cry
Of party-bigot grim,
But meekly stands, and sturdily
We know the proof of him.

The man whose laughter rings
A puzzle to the prim;
Yet who no witty poison flings —
We know the proof of him.

The man who plunging dives
Where others only skim,
And so at real truth arrives —
We know the proof of him.

The man who brightly shines,
Not flickering and dim,
But steady as the heavenly signs —
We know the proof of him.

This man for our behoof,
In body stout or slim,
Hath manfully wrought out the proof-
That God hath wrought in him.