the pit bull in poetry

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr (August 29, 1809 – October 7, 1894)

Never Give Up

Never give up, there are chances and changes,
Helping the hopeful, a hundred to one;
And, through the chaos, High Wisdom arranges
Ever success, if you’ll only hold on.

Never give up; for the wisest is boldest,
Knowing that Providence mingles the cup,
And of all maxims, the best, as the oldest,
Is the stern watchword of ‘Never give up!’”

Be firm; one constant element of luck
Is genuine, solid, old Teutonich pluck.
Stick to your aim; the mongrel’s hold will slip,
But only crowbars loose the bull-dog’s grip;
Small though he looks, the jaw that never yields
Drags down the bellowing monarch of the fields!