THE HERITAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2119, 6 February 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE HERITAGE.

The rich man'i son inherit! lands, And piles of brick, and stone, and gold, And he inherit* soft white hands, And tender flesh that feels the cold, Nor dares to wear a garment old ; A heritage, it seems to me, One scarce would wish to hold in fee. The rich man's son inherits cares : The bank may break, the factory burn, A breath may burst his bubble shares, And soft white hands could hardly earn A living that would serve his turn; A heritage, it seems to me, One scarce would wish to hold in fee. The rich man's son inherits wants. His stomach craves for dainty fare; With sated heart, he hears the pants Of toiling hands with brown arms bare, And wearies in his easy chair; A heritage, it seems to me, One scarce would wish to hold in fee. What doth the poor man's son inherit ? Stout muscles and a sinewy heart, A hardy frame, a hardier spirit; King of two hands, he does his part In every useful toil and art; A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee. What doth the poor man's son inherit ? Wishes o'erjoyed with humble things, A rank adjudged by toil-worn merit, Content that from employment springs A heart that in his labour sings A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee. What doth the poor man's son inherit ? A patience learned by being poor, Courage, if sorrow come, to bear it; A fellow-feeling that is sure To make the outcast bless his door; A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee. Oh, rich man's soul! there is a toil, That with all others level stands ; Large charity doth never soil, But only whiten, soft white hands— That is the best crop from thy lands ; A heritage, it seems to me, Worth being rich to hold in fee. Oh, poor man's son ! scorn not thy state ! There is a worse weariness than thine, In merely being rich and great; Toil only gives the soul to shine, And makes rest fragrant and benign; A heritage, it seems to me, Worth being poor to hold in fee. Both, heirs to some six feet of sod, Are equal in the earth at last; Both children of the same dear God, Prove title to your heir.ship vast By record to a well-tilled past; A heritage, it seems to me, Well worth a- life to hold in fee.

—James Russell Lowell.