The Prayer of a Sportsman Summary & Analysis [Exercise Question Answer]

The Prayer of The Sportsman Poem

Dear Lord, in the battle that goes on through life

I ask but a field that is fair,

A chance that is equal with all in the strife,

A courage to strive and to dare;

And if should win, let it be by the code

With my faith and my honor held high;

And if I should lose, let me stand by the road,

And cheer as the winners go by.

And Lord, may my shouts be ungrudging and clear,

A tribute that comes from the heart,

And let me not cherish a snarl or a sneer

Or play any sniveling part;

Let me say, "There they ride, on whom laurel's bestowed

Since they played the game better than I."

Let me stand with a smile by the side of the road,

And cheer as the winners go by.

So grant me to conquer, if conquer I can,

By proving my worth in the fray,

But teach me to lose like a regular man,

And not like a craven, I pray;

Let me take off my hat to the warriors who strode

To victory splendid and high,

Yea, teach me to stand by the side of the road

And cheer as the winners go by.

Who is the Writer of The Prayer of A Sports Man?

Berton Braley (1882 – 1966) was an American poet. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, his father was a judge who died when Braley was seven years old. At 16, Braley quit high school and worked as a factory hand at a plough plant. After a few years, Braley went back to school and received his high school diploma.  Shortly afterwards he discovered the joys of poetry.

Brief Summary of The Prayer Of A Sports Man

The poem “The prayer of a Sportsman” by Berton Braley is a very inspiring poem that is an earnest prayer to God by a sportsman. In this poem, the prayer asks God to grant him strength and courage. The poet wants strength so that he can give his best and play well. He wants a fair game where there is no illegal or wrong pass or any cheating. He wants to shout only tributes and good things and no slanders or abuses. Even if he loses the game, he wants the strength and courage to smile and be happy for the winning party and if he wins it he wants to win by his merit and skills and not by unfair means. 

Stanza-Wise Analysis of the Poem

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