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Many of us would have studied this in school - a remarkable poem with words rooted in a quiet sort of wisdom - one that idealizes without being blind - pointing out with distinct clarity what self-discipline, fair-play, & sporting an undaunted spirit is all about.
Reminds me of Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) putting things in perspective for his kids by teaching them that courage is not a man holding a gun. Or when he explains to them why he would have to go against social-norms by defending a (falsely-accused) black man - “Before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience”.
What a clear stand! Perhaps this is the one thing that all men of conviction share - given a crisis, they can discern their true calling as clear as day - by giving themselves over to a set of sound personal convictions that drive their course through life.