No Less a Man

Adventure on, my son, Beyond the mountains yonder Into the country of the Matae If you find no pastures If their maidens be plain Come back home, son, You will find our land Overflowing with harvest. Adventure into the heart of the Wagikuu Plant your spear in their midst If you find no match for you If you read deceit in their eyes Or find a lacuna in their faith Return to your fatherland. Your stars will take their places Beside those of your ancestors. Adventure on, son, beyond horizons: They were not made for your clan Nor were seas made to tether our warriors Nor the span of earth and sky To kill our determination: For man is man And master of his fate. And you, my son, are no less a man!