When the tide-sweep of reverses
    Smites them, firm they stand and dare it
  Without wailings, tears, or curses,
    This stout firm of Grin and Barrett. 
  Even should their house go under
    In the flood and inundation,
  Calm they stand amid the thunder
    Without noise or demonstration. 
  And, when sackcloth is the fashion,
    With a patient smile they wear it,
  Without petulance or passion,
    This old firm of Grin and Barrett. 
        Grin and Barrett,
        Who can scare it? 
    Scare the firm of Grin and Barrett?

  When the other firms show dizziness,
    Here’s a house that does not share it. 
  Wouldn’t you like to join the business? 
    Join the firm of Grin and Barrett? 
  Give your strength that does not murmur,
    And your nerve that does not falter,
  And you’ve joined a house that’s firmer
    Than the old rock of Gibraltar. 
  They have won a good prosperity;
    Why not join the firm and share it? 
  Step, young fellow, with celerity;
    Join the firm of Grin and Barrett. 
        Grin and Barrett,
        Who can scare it? 
    Scare the firm of Grin and Barrett?

Sam Walter Foss.

From “Songs of the Average Man.”

[Illustration:  SAM WALTER FOSS]

CHALLENGE

Napoleon is reported to have complained of the English that they didn’t have sense enough to know when they were beaten.  Even if defeat is unmistakable, it need not be final.  A battle may be lost, but the campaign won; a campaign lost, but the war won.

  Life, I challenge you to try me,
    Doom me to unending pain;
  Stay my hand, becloud my vision,
    Break my heart and then—­again.

  Shatter every dream I’ve cherished,
    Fill my heart with ruthless fear;
  Follow every smile that cheers me
    With a bitter, blinding tear.

  Thus I dare you; you can try me,
    Seek to make me cringe and moan,
  Still my unbound soul defies you,
    I’ll withstand you—­and, alone!

Jean Nette.

YOUR MISSION

One of the most often-heard of sentences is “I don’t know what I’m to do in the world.”  Yet very few people are ever for a moment out of something to do, especially if they do not insist on climbing to the top of the pole and waving the flag, but are willing to steady the pole while somebody else climbs.

  If you cannot on the ocean
    Sail among the swiftest fleet,
  Rocking on the highest billows,
    Laughing at the storms you meet;
  You can stand among the sailors,
    Anchored yet within the bay,
  You can lend a hand to help them
    As they launch their boats away.

  If you are too weak to journey
    Up the mountain, steep and high,
  You can stand within the valley
    While the multitudes go by;
  You can chant in happy measure
    As they slowly pass along—­
  Though they may forget the singer,
    They will not forget the song.