Good Luck & Bad ~ Grantland Rice

Good Luck and Bad
 
 Grantland Rice
 
 GOOD Luck is like a down hill tide 
 That helps to make an easy start, 
 Where one may paddle, drift or glide
 Without much effort on his part;
 
 But though it takes you to the goal
 And brings you in the world's acclaim, 
 It builds no fibre for your soul
 Nor molds you for the rougher game. 
 
 Bad Luck is like an uphill sweep,
 The test of courage and of class, 
 Where troubles grow and shadows creep
 And none except the valiant pass ;
 
 Where through raw gales that blow but ill
 The entry clings to this lone dream : 
 The stalwart only stalks the hill
 The gamefish only swims up stream. 

 If your main wish is but to win
 Let Good Luck help to pull you through, 
 To know the cheering and the din
 That go where laurel sprigs are due ;
 
 But if you wish to build a heart
 That scorns the fickle whims of Fate, 
 Take Hard Luck for the journey's start
 With rugged Trouble for a mate.