Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition
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Not one of all the purple host
Who took the flag to-day
Can tell the definition
So clear of victory,
As he, defeated, dying,
On whose forbidden ear
The distant strains of triumph
Break agonized and clear.

For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes--not that you won or lost--but how read more

For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name, He writes--not that you won or lost--but how you played the Game.

No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.

No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.

Victories that are easy are cheap. Those only are worth having which come as the result of hard fighting.

Victories that are easy are cheap. Those only are worth having which come as the result of hard fighting.

Then should some cloud pass over
The brow of sire or lover,
Think 'tis the shade
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Then should some cloud pass over
The brow of sire or lover,
Think 'tis the shade
By Victory made
Whose wings right o'er us hover!

Victory has a hundred fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

Victory has a hundred fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

Who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.

Who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.

Victory and defeat are each of the same price.

Victory and defeat are each of the same price.

There are many victories worse than a defeat.rn

There are many victories worse than a defeat.rn