O. Henryana

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h1>O. Henryana</h1> <p class="titlepage">Seven Odds and Ends</p> <p class="titlepage">Poetry and Short Stories</p> <p class="authored">BY</p> <p class="author">O. Henry</p> <h3 class="title">The Crucible</h3> <p><span>Hard ye may be in the tumult,</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Red to your battle hilts,</span> <br/> <span>Blow give for blow in the foray,</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Cunningly ride in the tilts;</span> <br/> <span>But when the roaring is ended</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Tenderly, unbeguiled,</span> <br/> <span>Turn to a woman a woman’s</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Heart, and a child’s to a child.</span></p> <p><span>Test of the man, if his worth be</span> <br/> <span class="i1">In accord with the ultimate plan,</span> <br/> <span>That he be not, to his marring,</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Always and utterly man;</span> <br/> <span>That he bring out of the tumult,</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Fitter and undefiled,</span> <br/> <span>To a woman the heart of a woman,</span> <br/> <span class="i1">To children the heart of a child.</span></p> <p><span>Good when the bugles are ranting</span> <br/> <span class="i1">It is to be iron and fire;</span> <br/> <span>Good to be oak in the foray,</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Ice to a guilty desire.</span> <br/> <span>But when the battle is over</span> <br/> <span class="i1">(Marvel and wonder the while)</span> <br/> <span>Give to a woman a woman’s</span> <br/> <span class="i1">Heart, and a child’s to a child.</span></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />