The Man Who Will Fight - A poem by Frederick J. Atwood

The Man Who Will Fight.

It is now much the fashion to eulogize Peace,^___
A sentiment, truly, that ought to increase;
But there's a thing that I do, and I still think it right,^___
I take off my hat to the man who will fight.

I have oft known a horse-thief, caught in the toils,
To clamor for peace^___oh, his zeal fairly boils!
And the man who suspects that his purse would be
lighter,-
He utterly loathes a man that's a fighter.

And others there are who are always for peace^___
The wretchedly lazy; may their tribe fast decrease!
gut I honor the man who thinks himself right,
And throws off his coat for a squar3 honest fight.

There's the devil himself,^___ he is mightily prone
To do hellish work when you leave him alone;
He's a coward, and quickly will take unto flight
If met by a man who is willing to fight.

So I take off my hat to the bellicose man;
Of every good movement he's found in the van;
Be he preacher, or poet, or statesman, or wight,
Hurrah, thrice hurrah! for the man who will fight.

1899.

^__Frederick J. Atwood.