Back Aa

Coo-ee Reciter

Close

<h2 id="THE_POOR_AND_THE_RICH">THE POOR AND THE RICH.</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> The rich man's son inherits lands, And piles of brick and stone and gold, And tender flesh that fears the cold, Nor dares to wear a garment old; A heritage, it seems to me, One would not care to hold in fee.[87] The rich man's son inherits cares. The bank may break, the factory burn, Some breath may burst his bubble shares, And soft white hands would scarcely earn A living that would suit his turn; A heritage, it seems to me, One would not care to hold in fee. </div> <div class="stanza"> What does the poor man's son inherit? Stout muscles and a sinewy heart, A hardy frame, a hardier spirit, King of two hands he does his part In every useful toil and art; A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee. </div> <div class="stanza"> What does the poor man's son inherit? Wishes o'erjoyed with humble things, A rank adjudged by toil-worn merit, Content that from enjoyment springs, A heart that in his labour sings; A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee. </div> <div class="stanza"> What does the poor man's son inherit? A patience learned by being poor, Courage, if sorrow come, to bear it; A fellow feeling that is sure To make the outcast bless his door; A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee. </div> <div class="stanza"> Oh! rich man's son, there is a toil That with all others level stands; Large charity doth never soil, But only whitens, soft white hands; This is the best crop from thy lands; A heritage, it seems to me, Worth being rich to hold in fee.[88] Oh! poor man's son, scorn not thy state, There is worse weariness than thine— In being merely rich and great; Work only makes the soul to shine, And makes rest fragrant and benign A heritage, it seems to me, Worth being poor to hold in fee. </div> <div class="stanza"> Both, heirs to some six feet of sod, Are equal in the earth at last— Both, children of the same dear God. Prove title to your heirship vast, By record of a well-filled past! A heritage, it seems to me, Well worth a life to hold in fee. </div> <div class="stanza"> James Russell Lowell. </div> </div> <hr class="chap" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

1 of 2

2 of 2