SAID the child to the youthful year: "What hast thou in store for me, O giver of beautiful gifts! what cheer, What joy dost thou bring with thee?" "My seasons four shall bring Their treasures: the winter's snows, The autumn's store, and the flowers of spring, And the summer's perfect rose. "All these and more shall be thine, Dear child -- but the last and best Thyself must earn by a strife divine, If thou wouldst be truly blest. "Wouldst thou know this best gift? 'Tis a conscience clear and bright, A peace of mind which the soul can lift To an infinite delight. "Truth, patience, courage, and love, If thou unto me canst bring, I will set thee all earth's ills above, O child! and crown thee a king!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PURSUIT OF THE WORD by ROBERT FROST COOPER SQUARE by KAREN SWENSON A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 1 by GAIUS VALERIUS CATULLUS THE SAILOR TO HIS PARROT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 24 by OMAR KHAYYAM |