How poor his triumph is whose venture pays
Because strong friends of his have willed it so;
Have pulled the strings and schemed in cunning ways
To drag him up or boost him from below.
How evanescent his poor pride must be,
How often he must nurse a vain regret,
How often weakly wish that he were free
To scorn those who have placed him in their debt.
How splendid in his triumph who has won
Alone, unaided, honor and renown,
Who owes no thanks and rises to his own,
Despite the world's attempt to keep him down.
--_Ellsworth Kaye._