POETRY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2402, 14 December 1881, Page 4

POETRY.

MY WANTS, I want not wealth—the yellow gold That chills the soul like Arctic cold. That turns to ice the warmest heart. And withers all its hotter part; I want not wealth. Only enough to soothe the distress. To cool the brow of wretchedness, To bring glad smiles to eyes that weep, And all my loved ones safely keep— This wealth I want, and nothing more. I want not power to sway my kind And blindly lead a world of blind, To shift tho scene on life’s great stage, And make my impress on the age— I want not power. But rather strength to lift tho soul Bound down in passion’s base control; To aid it in its upward flight To yon high realm of love and light— This power I want, and nothing more. I want not fame—to have my name Encircled by a garish flame That, like the fire’s deceitful ray, A moment gleams, then dies away ; I want not fame. I only want it may bo said, Wheu I am gathered to the dead, "Ho lived unknown and died content; His life should bo his monument.” Such fame I want and nothing more. Bat this I want—a friend that’s true, Who will my virtues kindly view, And all my faults us kindly scan, Nor count me more or less than man; And even more. I want a hand my own to hold When days are dark, and drear and cold An arm my faltering feet to stay While here I tread life’s weary way Such friend I want, and even more. I want true love—true woman’s love, As pure as that which rules above. As deep as the unsounded sea, And broad as is immensity; And even more. I want a smile to light my homo, A kiss to greet me when I come, A heart whose sweet and holy chime Shall with my own keep even time ; Such love I want, and even more. I want a calm, secluded place In the kind thoughts of all my race ; I want that men should speak of me In gentle tones of charity; And even more, I want to feel, deep in my heart. I’ve acted well my humble part; And, when my earthly course is run, I want the Master’s kind “ well done t” All this I want and nothing more.