The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/The Debt

THIS is the debt I pay Just for one riotous day, Years of regret and grief, Sorrow without relief.

Pay it I will to the end -- Until the grave, my friend, Gives me a true release -- Gives me the clasp of peace.

Slight was the thing I bought, Small was the debt I thought, Poor was the loan at best -- God! but the interest!