SELECTED POETRY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11825, 23 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

SELECTED POETRY.

POVERTY AND WEALTH.

BY B. \f. WILCOX.

The stork flew over a town one day. ! And back of each wing an infant lay ; One to a rich man's home be bronght, And one he left at a laborer's cot. The rich man said, "My son shall ba A lordly ruler o'er laud »nd sea." The laborer sighed, '"Tis the good God's will, That I have another mouth to fill." The rich man's son grew strong and fair, And proud with the pride of a onllionaire. His motio in life was, "Live while you may," m ... And he crowded years in a single day. He bought position and name and place And -be bought him a wife with a handsome face.. . He journey over the whole wide wortd, But discontent in bis heart lay curled liike a seipent hidden in leaves and moss, And life seemed hollow and gola was dross ; He scoffed at women, and doubted God, And died like a beaat and went back to tbe sod. The son b\ the laborer tilled tbe soil, And thanked God daily for health and He wedded for love in his youthfal prime, And two lives chorded in tune and - time. . . His wants were simple and simple his creed, " To trust God fully ; it served bi* nfed, And lightened his labor, and helped him to die . With a smile on his lips and a hope in his eye. m When all is over and all is done, Kow which of these men was the richer one?