Summary
The poem is a paean to British stoicism and masculine rectitude; almost every line in each stanza begins with «If». It is subtitled «‘Brother Square-Toes’– Rewards and Fairies».
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The poem’s speaker says that if you can keep your head while those around you lose theirs; if you can trust yourself when others doubt you; if you can be patient and not lose your temper; if you can handle being lied about but not lie yourself, and being hated but not hating yourself; if you do not look too good or talk too wise:
Analysis of «If»