BACKBONE

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 257, 21 April 1888, Page 7

BACKBONE

"When you <=cc a fellow mot tal Without fixed and feavle-s vic\vs, Hancing on tlie skats of othci*, Wnlkinc in their cast-off Bowintr ] o w to wealth and favour, With abject, uncovered head, Kea'lv to retnct or waver, "Willing to be turned or led ; "Walk yourself with firmer bearing, Throw your moral shoulder* back ; Show your spine has nerve and marrow - Just the things that he must lack. A stronger word Was never heard Than this — backbone. When you see a theologinn 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 ; Throw your moral shoulders baok ; Show your spine has nerve and marrowJust the things that he must lack. A stronger word Was never heard Than this — backbone. When you see a politician Crawling through contracted holes, Begging for some fat position, In the House or afe the polls ; With no sterling manhood in him ; Nothing stable, broad, or sound ; Destitute of pluck or ballast j Double sided all around: Walk yourself with firmer bearing ; Throw your moral shoulders back ; Show your spine has nerve and marrowJuet the things that he must lack. A stronger word Was never heard Than this— backbone. A modest song, and plainly told — The text is -worth a mine of gold ; For many men mo3t sadly lack A noble stiffness in the back. Public Opinion.