O kid! with face of healthy tan, br With lunch-bag, books and slate; br You needn't long to be a man, br Self-confident and great; br For ever since the world began br Each boy must spring to Nature's plan, br Must worry through as best he can — br Make up your mind to Wait. br br O young galoot! you find it rough — br This iron hand of Fate! br Your confidence is mostly bluff, br And doubts preponderate — br Are you the genuine all-wool stuff? br Are you a daisy or a muff? — br Patience! you'll find out soon enough, br If you can only Wait. br br O baffled bloke! with no resource! br Whose knowledge comes too late; br Whose prospects change from bad to worse, br Till Hope gives place to Hate! br Sick of existence, and perforce br Impatient for the long divorce — br You'll get your call in proper course, br Take my advice, and Wait. br br O geezer! drawing near the test br That none may obviate; br Don't waste your time in fruitless quest br Re man's post-mortem state. br That doubt will soon be set at rest — br You'll be extinguish'd, grill'd, or blest, br Or spook the world from east to west. br Meanwhile, you have to Wait.