 | Reuben and Other Poems |  |
SELF-DENIAL.
In whatsoever grade of life he is
That runs the risks of poverty or pelf,
Great independence and great virtue his
Who can deny himself.
That runs the risks of poverty or pelf,
Great independence and great virtue his
Who can deny himself.
How little shall suffice his actual wants!
How small the service he shall ask or need!
The slights of pride he shall not feel; its taunts
Hearing, he shall not heed.
How small the service he shall ask or need!
The slights of pride he shall not feel; its taunts
Hearing, he shall not heed.
254
To what do all our grievances amount
But mostly to some selfish want refused,
Or petty dignity of no account,
Or appetite abused.
But mostly to some selfish want refused,
Or petty dignity of no account,
Or appetite abused.
And if this self by self can be denied,
These are but waves that seek to storm the rock:
It slips them back into the passing tide,
And never feels the shock.
These are but waves that seek to storm the rock:
It slips them back into the passing tide,
And never feels the shock.
| Reuben and Other Poems | |