Edgar Albert Guest - United States

He shall be great who serves his country well. <br /> He shall be loved who ever guards her fame. <br />His worth the starry banner long shall tell, <br /> Who loves his land too much to stoop to shame. <br /> <br />Who shares the splendor of these sunny skies <br /> Has freedom as his birthright, and may know <br />Rich fellowship with comrades brave and wise; <br /> Into the realms of manhood he may go. <br /> <br />Who writes, 'United States' beside his name <br /> Offers a pledge that he himself is true; <br />Gives guarantee that selfishness or shame <br /> Shall never mar the work he finds to do. <br /> <br />He is received world-wide as one who lives <br /> Above the sordid dreams of petty gain, <br />And is reputed as a man who gives <br /> His best to others in their hours of pain. <br /> <br />This is the heritage of Freedom's soil: <br /> High purposes and lofty goals to claim. <br />And he shall be rewarded for his toil <br /> Who loves his land too much to stoop to shame.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/united-states/