The Pride That Comes After

Henry Lawson, 1903

      It knows it all, it knows it all,
             The world of groans and laughter,
      It sneers of pride before a fall,
             But the bitter pride comes after:
      So leave me and I'll seek you not,
             So seek me and you'll find me —
      But till I know your hand-grip's true
             I'll stand with hands behind me.

      It knows it all, it knows it all,
             The world of lies and sorrow —
      It prates of pride before a fall,
             And of the humble morrow;
      But shame and blame are but a name,
             Oh, heart that's hurt past curing!
      We'll drink to-night the sinner's pride,
             The pride that's most enduring.

      They know it all, they know it all,
             The curs that pass the sentence.
      They preach of pride before a fall
             And bitter black repentance:
      So leave me when my star is set,
             I'll glory that you leave me,
      While one has pride to love me yet
             There's nought on earth shall grieve me.