True success known by oh so few who have held its taste so dear Becoming one's most loving friend as well as the thing they most fear
Is success so overwhelming or reflection's failure you dread Have a mind to be tested here before on your fears you are fed
It's not he thinking better not who will be served life’s greatest dish Only a man who risks his pride can dream of dining on his wish
Whichever man you choose to be in this lifetime as in the next Will lay foundation for the others who study you and feel perplexed
The man who sees his limits dashed rendered from toil of sweat and tears Is he who has lived more in life than most will know in all their years
Tate Original with music and pictures http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/499184/
A man among men he was the greatest adventurer of all time. Managing with 5 of his men a final 800 mile sail in a open dingy over the roaring forties in the Southern Ocean. Using dead reckoning and only two sightings in over two weeks sail. Fought starvation and frostbite through the fifty foot waves and storms. To land successfully on a tiny sliver of an Island called South Georgia. Then went back and save all his men. His sail and subsequent crossing of the interior of South Georgia island on foot,was miraculous. So much so the disbelieving whalers there rescued the tiny boat from the far side of the island. Carrying it on their shoulders, as if it were the Ark of the Covenant. Returning to England he has always been a light to men. Those who seek adventure and purpose from the daring and dignity of their lives. His efforts to not only save oneself. But to pick up and carry his comrades home to safety as well. Stories told of him from the survivors of the Scott expedition say his character was kind and conciliatory to men of all walks. One man remarked" We were starving. None had eaten anything in 5 days. Shackleton forced his last biscuit upon me. Even though he too was starving. A man can't imagine the magnanimity of such a act, who's never experienced it. But I shall never forget it!" He was to this man at least one of the greatest men who ever drew breath. " Article London Times : Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success. "