We fancied he'd share in our cause. Instead, "There is nothing in it for me!" he said. He passed up pity and play and mirth And counted his time to the penny's worth. Ask for his help, and this would be His answer: "What is there in it for me?" Nothing it meant if you said: "In this Perhaps is friendship you'll some day miss. Here is a task that won't pay in gold, But will leave you prouder when you grow old. Though nothing for this will your purse collect, It will pay you richly in self-respect." "What is there in it for me?" he said. We mentioned pride, but he shook his head. "The joy of giving," he flicked his hand -- That he never could understand. And he found when life's last far bend was turned That money was all he had ever earned. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HOLY THURSDAY, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE THE NEW ARRIVAL by GEORGE WASHINGTON CABLE AN INVOCATION; SONG, FR. REMORSE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE JAFFAR by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT ELAINE by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY TO MY EXCELLENT LUCASIA, ON OUR FRIENDSHIP. 17TH JULY 1651 by KATHERINE PHILIPS THE POOR FARMER'S OFFERING by APOLLONIDES |