A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad. 1896.

XLV. If it chance your eye offend you

IF it chance your eye offend you,

Pluck it out, lad, and be sound:

’Twill hurt, but here are salves to friend you,

And many a balsam grows on ground.

And if your hand or foot offend you,

Cut it off, lad, and be whole;

But play the man, stand up and end you,

When your sickness is your soul.