The Boy's Ideal

I must be fit for a child to play with, Fit for a youngster to walk away with; Fit for his trust and fit to be Ready to take him upon my knee; Whether I win or I lose my fight, I must be fit for my boy at night. I must be fit for a child to come to, Speech there is that I must be dumb to; I must be fit for his eyes to see, He must find nothing of shame in me; Whatever I make of myself, I must Square to my boy's unfaltering trust. I must be fit for a child to follow, Scorning the places where loose men wallow; Knowing how much he shall learn from me, I must be fair as I'd have him be; I must come home to him, day by day, Clean as the morning I went away. I must be fit for a child's glad greeting, His are eyes that there is no cheating; He must behold me in every test, Not at my worst, but my very best; He must be proud when my life is done To have men know that he is my son.