Enough Rope/The Veteran
The Veteran
WHEN I was young and bold and strong,Oh, right was right, and wrong was wrong!My plume on high, my flag unfurled,I rode away to right the world.“Come out, you dogs, and fight!” said I,And wept there was but once to die.
But I am old; and good and badAre woven in a crazy plaid.I sit and say, “The world is so;And he is wise who lets it go.A battle lost, a battle won—The difference is small, my son.”
Inertia rides and riddles me;The which is called Philosophy.