 | Claribel and Other Poems |  |
208
RICH AND POOR
In the softly carpeted and richly furnish'd room
Young life hath enjoyment, as a flower its bloom;
Broidering some pretty toy the dainty fingers ply
An easy task, 'mid pleasant hours, in very luxury.
Young life hath enjoyment, as a flower its bloom;
Broidering some pretty toy the dainty fingers ply
An easy task, 'mid pleasant hours, in very luxury.
On the bare floor, in the attic, where cold winds drive through,
Young life withers sadly, wanting all its due;
Broidering some gorgeous robe for wealthy dame to wear,
Slowly weary fingers labour,—pleasure smiles not there.
Young life withers sadly, wanting all its due;
Broidering some gorgeous robe for wealthy dame to wear,
Slowly weary fingers labour,—pleasure smiles not there.
In the mansion child and maiden know all life's delight;
Child and maiden homed with Squalor live in sorry plight.
Child and maiden homed with Squalor live in sorry plight.
Yet the mansion and the hovel are not far apart;
Under rags or satin beats the human heart;
And the child, on floor or carpet, hopes, desires, and fears;
And the rich lass than the poorest hath no pearlier tears.
Under rags or satin beats the human heart;
209
And the rich lass than the poorest hath no pearlier tears.
Tell your children that God made them brethren, sisters, all,
Born in even a manger or baronial hall;
Teach them what the Poor Man taught the rich long time ago,
How all of us are God's children, be we ne'er so low.
Born in even a manger or baronial hall;
Teach them what the Poor Man taught the rich long time ago,
How all of us are God's children, be we ne'er so low.
Little children! learn the lesson: wheresoe'er you be,
Love and loving help each other, truly, tenderly.
Love and loving help each other, truly, tenderly.
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