The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-10
OFFERINGS FROM THE POETS.
The Wealth of Poverty.

OFFERINGS FROM THE POETS.
The Wealth of Poverty.
With this ragged coat, this unkempt beard, this
old disfgured face.
This arm and leg both missing. and this head
To rest at night except upon the tramp rooms
You'll laugh In scorn and wonder when tell you
I'm not poor
When gentle slumber draws the veil and
Dreamland passes by,
There's not a man in all the world who's
Weather than 1.
In my dreaming 1 am richer than q ten-times
millionaire.
Though neither keep bank account, nor hold
bond or share.
Nor own great houses. horses. yachts, or any
costly things,
The fancied joys, but real cares. that money al
ways brings.
am free from thoughts Of money. freedom
money cannot buy;
don't believe pot o. gold can make one rich
asL
I've a low and rambling cottage, set beneath the
beeches' shade
Mid the clematis and roses far from dust. and
toll and trade;
And my house is heaped with treasure, wealth
the world has never known
Every picture has its story. known to me and
mine alone.
Has associated with 1t, now a smile or now
sigh:
How can men who buy their pictures ever be
as rich as II
Every rug and vase and hanging means some lit
tie sacrifice
That was sweetened into pleasure by look from
loving eyes;
ALI about are gifts and tokens of the friendships
of the past,
Fond mementoes from old sweethearts-and
especially the last!
How they bring the past before me, every love
and every tie!
Men whose lives are filled with money cannot
be 90 rich as I!
Here are books whose every author can count
among my friends,
For read the lives behind them with love that
comprehends.
Here are cap and gown and pipes and foils that
vauquished other chaps;
What Jolly times from out the past como trooping
round these traps
Those glorious larks and triumphs can't, like
wealth, take wings and fly.
How can men with only money ever be 90 rioh
ASH
In this happy realm Of Dreamland have social
joys galore.
My friends are few. but good and true. are loyal
to the core;
They've intelligence and sympathy and thoughts
that are their own,
And, best Of all. I know they care for what am
alone
Sweet knowledge this, suspicious wealth is
powerless to buy!
Can millionaires with hosts Of friends be half
so rich as II
sweet and rare
She's 80 beautiful that strangers, when they see
her. stop and stare.
Even now she runs 90 meet me and her merry
laughter rings,
Bright and joyous, round my shoulders, where
the little sweetheart clings
She's my happy, laughing baby-and rich ba-
bies always cry!
Though their fathers roll In money, they are
not so rich as 1.
But there's one that's even dearer, one dare to
call my wife
Az inc cottage uOOT tO Rreot ue StbuuS my True
love- mine tor life!
Fresh and lovely as the morning, brave and
sunny as the day;
One caress, ga breath Of heaven" chases every
care away!
This one lingering kiss the royal wealth of en-
pires could not buy;
Why, those millionares are paupers, when
compared with such as I!
All! Where am II IL it morningt Must live
another dayl
Can't my spirit stay In Dreamland, and with
Dreamland glide away3
Must the daylight glare upon me and expose
this hideous fright
This wreck of youthful manhood that survived
that dreadful night
oh, thou God of love and mercy! Hear me.
Hear my piteous cry!
Let me dream and dream forever-let me
slumber-let me die!
-Hussel NJ. Seeds.
To the Bard That IL to He.
o cling no more Of Pan,
Let him slumber, IL you can,