They tell me thou art rich, my country: gold
In glittering flood has poured into thy chest;
Thy flocks and herds increase, thy barns are pressed
With harvest, and thy stores can hardly hold
Their merchandise; unending trains are rolled
Along thy network rails of East and West;
Thy factories and forges never rest;
Thou art enriched in all things bought and sold!
But dost thou prosper? Better news I crave.
O dearest country, is it well with thee
Indeed, and is thy soul in health?
A nobler people, hearts more wisely brave,
And thoughts that lift men up and make them free,–
These are prosperity and vital wealth!
(Henry Van Dyke)
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Based on Topics: Gold Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, People Poems, Courage Poems, Countries Poems, Health PoemsBased on Keywords: flocks, glittering, nobler, news, pressed, increase, harvest, poured, sold, chest, crave