those who finish

continuing although there's no more road
is not a thing to ask from every man
gold is we know the surest onward goad
and all that's asked is to do what you can
yet what of those who still are pressing on
though they can hear the winner's shouts ahead
who don't give up who don't say it is done
until the heart stops beating and they drop dead
the honours always go to those bright boys
whose feet are swift who with determined face
endure harsh training ignore all the joys
until they know that they have won the race
life's not like that much credit still should go
to those who go on though their feet are slow