at the commencement

at the commencement all the world was dared

for a small prize a kiss  and then a hope

so that the magic feeling would be shared

not by the ones whose  urgency was feared

as they came running down the morning slope

at the commencement all the world was dared

just so they could with justice be prepared

for honourable parting we elope

so that the magic feeling would be shared

in proper form and time by those who cared

more deeply and were happy they could cope

at the commencement all the world was dared

yet we survive while all the children stared

as new dawn seemed to offer yet more scope

so that the magic feeling would be shared

by all the folk who knew they had been spared

to hold with strength what they could barely grope

at the commencement all the world was dared

so that the magic feeling would be shared