Backbone.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 245, 10 March 1888, Page 4

Backbone.

When you see a fellow mortal Without fixed and fearless views, Hanging on the skirts of others, Walking in their cast-off shoes, Bowing low to wealth uml favour, With abject, uncovered head, Ready to retract or waver, Willing to be turned or led, Walk yourself with fiiiner bearing, Throw your moral shoulders back ; Show your spine has nerve and marrowJust the things that he must lack. A stronger word Was never heard Than this — backbone. Whcu you sco a theologian Hugging close some ugly creed, Fearing to reject or question | Dogmas, which his priest may read ; Holding back all noble feeling ; Choking down each manly view. Coring more for forms and symbols, Than to know the Good and True ; Walk yourself with firmer bearing j Throw your moral shoulders back ; Show your spine has nerve and marrow Just the things which he must lack. A stronger word Was never heard ' Than this — backbone. When you sco a po'itician Crawling through contracted holes, Begging for some fab position, ' In the House or at the polls ; With do sterling manhood in him ; Nothing stable, broad, or sound ; Destitute of pluck or ballast ;, Double sided all around ; Walk yourself with firmer bearing ; Throw your moral shoulders back ; Show your spine has nerve and marrowJust the things which he must lack. A modest song, and plainly told — The text is worth ft mine of gold; For many men most sadly lack A noble stiffness in the back.

"That man may lipfc be a pugilist,," re--marked an hotel,pvW lliefcor ft ft e Y, a stor^ interview, with a guest ,^Yho ! , kicked. ,aj; the * amount of his bill, " V>tib I*m sure that lie, is a.prico-fighter !", »,.;-,. ' ,'Whon lovely;. .Nvoninn' stoops' toifolly , i And buys a. remnant ot brai^, ; , ( What. blihrm can aootlib hcrinelapcholy ■ • On learning she erin't matoh'tibie shade ? ■ "No, my son, a mouse does not grow tntQ a rafc any v more than a dude, becomes a man. Quito' 1 a different race' iti •either 'case." 'So jpatent ,lo hi&. inquisitive bliVe .branch. * ' ,V ■ ('( ' \ !