He cast his net at morn where fishers toiled,
At eve he drew it empty to the shore;
He took the diver's plunge into the sea,
But thence within his hand no pearl he bore.
He ran a race, but never reached his goal;
He sped an arrow, but he missed his aim;
And slept at last beneath a simple stone,
With no achievements carved about his name.
Men called it failure; but for my own part
I dare not use that word, for what if Heaven
Shall question, ere its judgment shall be read,
Not, "Hast thou won?" but only, "Hast thou striven?"
--Kate Tucker Goode.