A Toast

By James Stanley Gilbert

I DRINK to him who when he knows he's wrong

Has manliness enough to say so;

Whose Yes, when others dodge, is clear and strong,

Who when he thinks No will but say No.

I drink to him whose spoken Yea and Nay

No skulkers shelter just behind them;

Whose sentiments are open as the day,

So when one needs them one can find them.

I drink to him who to his own affairs

Pays sole and strict attention purely;

Who deals not in his neighbor's wares—

For he's a rara avis surely!