Alfred Edward Housman

26 March 1859 – 30 April 1936 / Worcestershire

If By Chance Your Eye Offend You

If by chance your eye offend you,
Pluck it out, lad, and be sound:
'Twill hurt, but here are salves to friend you,
And many a balsam grows on ground.

And if your hand or foot offend you,
Cut it off, lad, and be whole;
But play the man, stand up and end you,
When your sickness is your soul.
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