If a friend suddenly became
Not a friend and not a foe, but just a so-and-so.
If you can’t really tell
What kind of a guy he is, -

Take the fellow to the mountains risk it!
Don’t leave him alone:
Let him be in the same bind you are
You will see who he is.

If the fellow is not - an ace,
If he went wimpy and down at once,
Stepped on the ice - and cracked,
Slipped and made a scene of it -

Then - that is a stranger beside you,
Don’t curse him - let him go:
Nobody takes losers to the top - and here,
Nobody sings about them.

If he didn’t let out a whimper, didn’t whine,
Was sullen and angry, but walked anyway,
And when you fell from the cliff,
He moaned - yet held.

If he marched ahead with you, as if into a battle -
Stood at the top, drunk with joy,
Then, as on your own self,
Rely on him.