Vocabulary words:

Proffered: to present for acceptance

Laurel: Usually, laurels. Honor won, as for achievement in a field or activity.

Explanation of the stanza:

Take up the White Man's burden -Have done with childish days -The lightly proffered laurel,
The easy, ungrudged praise.
Comes now, to search your manhood
Through all the thankless years,
Cold-edged with dear-bought wisdom,
The judgment of your peers!
Take up the White Man's burden Take the heavy duty you were given, of teaching
others who do not belong to your same race (white race).
Have done with childish days Leave behind your pettish and childish tantrums.
The lightly proffered laurel, - The laurel refers to a gift which could be interpreted as the
light, and glory.
The easy, ungrudged praise. Refers to the reward one gains when his/her work is
recognized by others, with minimum effort.
Comes now, to search your manhood It invites the man to seek for his true manhood
Through all the thankless years, - That one gains through years and years of
hardworking, without ever receiving any reward, or a mere Thanks.
Cold-edged with dear-bought wisdom, - it refers to the wisdom gained and acquired
throughout those years of hardwork and cold shoulders.
The judgment of your peers! Meaning, the judgment of those who surround you and
work with you