The meeting of these champions proud
       Seem'd like the bursting thudercloud.
           --- Sir Walter Scott:
           'The Lay of the Last Minstrel' III.v.

       In the world's broad field of battle,
           In the bivouac of Life,
       Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
           Be a [champion] in the strife!
           --- H W Longfellow: 'A Psalm of Life'

       Respectable men and women content with good and easy living
           are missing some of the most important things in life.
       Unless you give yourself to some great cause
           you haven't even begun to live.
           --- William P Merrill

       Only the consciousness of a purpose that is mightier
           than any man and worthy of all men
       can fortify and inspirit and compose the souls of men.
            --- Walter Lippmann

My spirit weeps for youth is lost.
No direction, no ideals, no goals.
Petty lusts molding spirits.
Monstrous media dictates thoughts.
Cogs to keep machinery moving.
No longer does youth question or dream.
My spirit weeps for youth is lost.

     They have not championed any cause, that's what's missing from their life. Every generation has found their reason for being, but not this one. It's not for lack of a good cause, there's too many lacking attention. Deforestation, energy waste, 'save the ______.', social injustices of every kind, and always hungry, homeless, humanity. Too many, that's the problem, attention spread too thin, for too long a time, till no attention is given. But, there's been no champion style effort given, the kind which builds enthusiasm anew, fans warm coals into trail blazing fires. A blacksmith's bellows, that's what's needed, to stir up this generation's spirit. A leader to pump the bellows, that's needed too.

My spirit weeps for youth is lost.
They have not championed any cause.