Based on the stanza given, identify the poem written by Rudyard Kipling.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

Correct option is D

Explanation:

The given lines are taken from Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If—", one of the most celebrated inspirational poems in English literature. The poem serves as a father’s advice to his son, offering a set of guiding principles for developing character, resilience, and moral strength. The quoted stanza emphasizes taking risks, handling failure with grace, and maintaining perseverance despite adversity. Kipling presents an ideal model of manhood, encouraging the reader to remain steadfast and composed even in the face of great loss and hardship.

Information Booster:

"If—" was first published in 1910 in Kipling’s collection Rewards and Fairies.

The poem is structured as a single sentence over four stanzas, listing qualities of patience, confidence, humility, and fortitude.

Kipling wrote this poem as an inspiration, allegedly influenced by the life of Leander Starr Jameson, a British colonial administrator known for his courage and resilience.

It is often quoted as a motivational poem, urging readers to maintain virtue and composure in both victory and defeat.

The poem concludes with the famous lines:
"If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"

These final lines solidify its message of perseverance, emotional control, and moral fortitude.

The poem is often memorized and recited for its universal wisdom on personal growth and success.

Additional Knowledge:

"Bright Cap and Streamers"
This poem by James Joyce is a lyrical piece that expresses romantic longing and beauty rather than philosophical life lessons.

"Gentle Lady, Do Not Sing"
Written by William Butler Yeats, this poem reflects themes of melancholy and nostalgia, contrasting Kipling’s more uplifting tone in If—.

"A Prayer"
This poem by Kipling himself focuses on faith and divine guidance, unlike If—, which emphasizes personal willpower and self-discipline.