Page:Pieces People Ask For.djvu/52

42 THE HERITAGE.

rich man's son inherits lands,
 * And piles of brick and stone and gold;

And he inherits 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 hinds 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 labor sings,—

A heritage, it seems to me, A king might wish to hold in fee.