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98
A POOR MAN'S EPITAPH.
He was not what the world counts rich,
Houses and lands had none in store;
But blessed with strength for honest toil,
He neither asked nor strove for more.
Houses and lands had none in store;
But blessed with strength for honest toil,
He neither asked nor strove for more.
His neighbors moved in higher ranks,
And far above him all could shine;
He lived with Health, and brave Content,
And water drank instead of wine.
And far above him all could shine;
He lived with Health, and brave Content,
And water drank instead of wine.
“Enough for me,” he said, “if here
My table 's spread when hunger calls,
To leave me something for a friend
Whose lot than mine still lower falls;
My table 's spread when hunger calls,
To leave me something for a friend
Whose lot than mine still lower falls;
“And if the rainy days should come,
And I 've no silver hoarded by,
How can I want, if Him I trust
Who feeds the ravens when they cry?
And I 've no silver hoarded by,
How can I want, if Him I trust
Who feeds the ravens when they cry?
99
“Around my board a place I'll keep
For pallid lips that pine in woe,
And better gifts than I impart
Shall unseen angel-hands bestow!”
For pallid lips that pine in woe,
And better gifts than I impart
Shall unseen angel-hands bestow!”
See where he sleeps who served mankind,—
Who wept and watched with weeping eyes!
Walk round his grave with reverent steps,
For there a more than hero lies.
Who wept and watched with weeping eyes!
Walk round his grave with reverent steps,
For there a more than hero lies.
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