Said the boy as he read, 'I too will be bold,
I will fight for the truth and its glory!'
He went to the playground, and soon had told
A very cowardly story!

Said the girl as she read, 'That was grand, I declare!
What a true, what a lovely, sweet soul!'
In half-an-hour she went up the stair,
Looking as black as a coal!

'The mean little wretch, I wish I could fling
This book at his head!' said another;
Then he went and did the same ugly thing
To his own little trusting brother!

Alas for him who sees a thing grand
And does not fit himself to it!
But the meanest act, on sea or on land,
Is to find a fault, and then do it!