Poetry: The Heritage

The ríen man s son inhenín lamí?, And pile6 of brick, and stone, and gold, And he inhrits soft, white hnds, 'And tender ttesh thut fears the cold, IVor dares to wear a garnient oíd; A heritnge, it eeemsto me, One would not care to hold in fee. The rich man's so inherits cares: ... .3a Tliebank muy break, tlie factor burn, S'xne breath muy buist bis hubble sitares, . A lid soft wlíile hands would haidly earn A living tbat would suit liis turn; A heritagp, iv teems to me, iiPífte would noL care to hold in fes. What docs tlie poor man's son inhorit? Stout muscles and a sinewy heurt, A hardy frame, a liurdier spirit; King cif two hands, he does his part In every usefuj toil und art; A heritage, it sfíetns to me, A king might wisli to hold in fee. What does the poor rnan's son inherit? Wil)C.'' o'frjoyod wiih huinble things, A rank adjudged by íoilworn merit, Content that froni einploymenl springs, A heart that in his í.ab'or sings; A herilnge, it seeniá to mr, A king might wish to hold in fl-e. What does the podrman's son inheril? A patieiicc learH'd by being poor, Courage, if sorrovv come, to bear it; A fellovv-feeling that i$ sure To make the outcast bless his door: A heritage, it scerns to n.e, A king might wiáh hold in fee. Oh, rich man's son, tlierc is a toil That with ai] othere, Jevel stands; Lirge charity doth never soil, But only whitens, sofi, white hands; Tlíis is the best erop (rom ihy lands; A heritage, it seems to me, Wortli being rich to hold in fee. Oh, poor man's son, scorn not thy state, Therc is a weariness worse than thine, in.inerely being rich and groat; Woik only niakes the soul to shinc, And makes rest fragrant and benign: A hc-iiüige, it seem.s lo me, Worth being poor to hold in fee. Bollï heïrs fo some six feet of sod, Are cqual in the earth at ):ist; Both children of the same dear God: Prove titleto'your lïeirship vast, By record of a vJell filled past: A heritage, tseems'Có me, Well worth a life toy hóld in fee.