O. Henryana — The Crucible

The Crucible Hard ye may be in the tumult, Red to your battle hilts, Blow give for blow in the foray, Cunningly ride in the tilts;

But when the roaring is ended Tenderly, unbeguiled, Turn to a woman a woman's Heart, and a child's to a child.

Test of the man, if his worth be In accord with the ultimate plan, That he be not, to his marring, Always and utterly man;

That he bring out of the tumult, Fitter and undefiled, To a woman the heart of a woman, To children the heart of a child.

Good when the bugles are ranting It is to be iron and fire;

Good to be oak in the foray, Ice to a guilty desire.

But when the battle is over (Marvel and wonder the while) Give to a woman a woman's Heart, and a child's to a child.