1.
IS it in mansions rich and gay,
On downy beds, or couches warm,
That NATURE owns the WINT’RY DAY ,
Or shrinks to hear the howling storm ?–
Ah, No !—-
‘Tis on the bleak and barren heath,
Where Mis’ry feels the shaft of Death,
As to the dark and freezing grave
Her children,–not a friend to save,–
Unheeded go.
2.
Is it in chambers silken drest,
At tables which profusions heap:
Is it on pillows soft to rest,
In dreams of long and balmy sleep ?
Ah, No !—-
‘Tis in the rushy hut obscure,
Where Poverty’s low sons endure;
And, scarcely daring to repine,
On a straw pallet, mute, recline,
O’erwhelm’d with woe !
3.
Is it to flaunt in warm attire ?
To laugh, and feast, and dance and sing ?
To crowd around the blazing fire ?
And make the roof with revels ring ?–
Ah, No !—-
‘Tis on the prison’s flinty floor,
‘Tis where the deaf’ning whirlwinds roar;
‘Tis when the sea-boy on the mast
Hears the waves bounding to the blast,
And looks below !
4.
Is it beneath the taper’s ray
The banquet’s luxury to share,
And waste the midnight hour away
With Fashion’s splendid vot’ries there ?
Ah, No !
‘Tis in the cheerless naked room
Where Misery’s victims wait their doom;
Where a fond mother famish’d dies,
While forth a frantic father flies,
Man’s desp’rate foe !
5.
Is it to lavish fortune’s store
In vain, fantastic, empty joys !
To scatter ’round the glittering ore,
And covet Folly’s gilded toys ?
Ah, No !—-
‘Tis in the silent spot obscure,
Where, forc’d all sorrows to endure,
Pale GENIUS learns (OH ! LESSON SAD !)
To court the vain, and on the bad ,
FALSE PRAISE BESTOW !
6.
Is it where gamesters, thronging round,
Their shining heaps of wealth display ?
Where CHANCE’S giddy tribes are found
Sporting their giddy hours away ?
Ah, No !
‘Tis where neglected Virtue sighs;
Where Hope , exhausted, silent dies;
Where Merit starves, by Pride opprest,
‘Till ev’ry stream that warms the breast
Forbears to flow.
(Mary Elizabeth Robinson)
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Based on Topics: Man Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Dreams Poems, Friendship Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Laughter PoemsBased on Keywords: gamesters, sea-boy, profusions