If there is someone new near you,
You don’t know if he’s friend or foe...
And you don’t know with certitude
If he is any good,

Don’t abandon the guy, but try,
Bring him onto your climbing team:
Let one rope join you both henceforth,
And you’ll see what he’s worth.

If a peak makes his spirit weak,
If dismay breaks him right away,
If when slipping on ice he cries
And his fortitude dies,

Then he is not your true friend, and
He should go away, not stay:
Taking him along would be wrong,
He is not worth a song.

If in pain he does not complain,
If he does not retreat or quit,
And, though groaning, holds you fast
When you fall off the crest;

If despite all the plights he fights,
Stands awestruck on the conquered heights,
Then you can altogether rely
On this new friend nearby!