The poetical works of George MacDonald Volume Ii Part 27

I want to be great and strong, I want to begin to-day; But if you think it very wrong I will send the wish away.

II.

_The Father answers._

Wrong to wish to be great?

No, Willie; it is not wrong: The child who stands at the high closed gate Must wish to be tall and strong!

If you did not wish to grow I should be a sorry man; I should think my boy was dull and slow, Nor worthy of his clan.

You are bound to be great, my boy: Wish, and get up, and do.

Were you content to be little, my joy Would be little enough in you.

_Willie speaks._

Papa, papa! I'm so glad That what I wish is right!

I will not lose a chance to be had; I'll begin this very night.

I will work so hard at school!

I will waste no time in play; At my fingers' ends I'll have every rule, For knowledge is power, they say.

I _would_ be a king and reign, But I can't be that, and so Field-marshal I'll be, I think, and gain Sharp battles and sieges slow.

I shall gallop and shout and call, Waving my s.h.i.+ning sword: Artillery, cavalry, infantry, all Hear and obey my word.

Or admiral I will be, Wherever the salt wave runs, Sailing, fighting over the sea, With flas.h.i.+ng and roaring guns.

I will make myself hardy and strong; I will never, never give in.

I _am_ so glad it is not wrong!

At once I will begin.

_The Father speaks._

Fighting and s.h.i.+ning along, All for the show of the thing!

Any puppet will mimic the grand and strong If you pull the proper string!

_Willie speaks._

But indeed I want to _be_ great, I should despise mere show; The thing I want is the glory-state-- Above the rest, you know!

_The Father answers._

The harder you run that race, The farther you tread that track, The greatness you fancy before your face Is the farther behind your back.

To be up in the heavens afar, Miles above all the rest, Would make a star not the greatest star, Only the dreariest.

That book on the highest shelf Is not the greatest book; If you would be great, it must be in yourself, Neither by place nor look.

The Highest is not high By being higher than others; To greatness you come not a step more nigh By getting above your brothers.

III.

_Willie speaks._

I meant the boys at school, I did not mean my brother.

Somebody first, is there the rule-- It must be me or another.

_The Father answers._

Oh, Willie, it's all the same!

They are your brothers all; For when you say, "Hallowed be thy name!"

Whose Father is it you call?

Could you pray for such rule to _him_?

Do you think that he would hear?

Must he favour one in a greedy whim Where all are his children dear?

It is right to get up and do, But why outstrip the rest?

Why should one of the many be one of the few?

Why should _you_ think to be best?

_Willie speaks._

Then how am I to be great?

I know no other way; It would be folly to sit and wait, I must up and do, you say!

_The Father answers._

I do not want you to wait, For few before they die Have got so far as begin to be great, The lesson is so high.

I will tell you the only plan To climb and not to fall: He who would rise and be greater than He is, must be servant of all.

Turn it each way in your mind, Try every other plan, You may think yourself great, but at length you'll find You are not even a man.

Climb to the top of the trees, Climb to the top of the hill, Get up on the crown of the sky if you please, You'll be a small creature still.

Be admiral, poet, or king, Let praises fill both your ears, Your soul will be but a windmill thing Blown round by its hopes and fears.

IV.

_Willie speaks._

Then put me in the way, For you, papa, are a man: What thing shall I do this very day?-- Only be sure I _can_.

I want to know--I am willing, Let me at least have a chance!

Shall I give the monkey-boy my s.h.i.+lling?-- I want to serve at once.

_The Father answers._