| |
| ONE man in a thousand, Solomon says, | |
| Will stick more close than a brother. | |
| And it’s worth while seeking him half your days | |
| If you find him before the other. | |
| Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend | 5 |
| On what the world sees in you, | |
| But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend | |
| With the whole round world agin you. | |
| |
| ’Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show | |
| Will settle the finding for ’ee. | 10 |
| Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ’em go | |
| By your looks, or your acts, or your glory. | |
| But if he finds you and you find him, | |
| The rest of the world don’t matter; | |
| For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim | 15 |
| With you in any water. | |
| |
| You can use his purse with no more talk | |
| Than he uses yours for his spendings, | |
| And laugh and meet in your daily walk | |
| As though there had been no lendings. | 20 |
| Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ’em call | |
| For silver and gold in their dealings; | |
| But the Thousandth Man he’s worth ’em all, | |
| Because you can show him your feelings. | |
| |
| His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right, | 25 |
| In season or out of season. | |
| Stand up and back it in all men’s sight— | |
| With that for your only reason! | |
| Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide | |
| The shame or mocking or laughter, | 30 |
| But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side | |
| To the gallows-foot—and after! | |
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