p. 121 | WHAT OF LIFE? by Elizabeth Rosser

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 25, 1893

WHAT OF LIFE?

By Elizabeth Rosser

BY ELIZABETH ROSSER.

An hour I, musing, spent among the tombs,— Those low and narrow, silent, clay-cold rooms, With silent, clay-cold tenants filled,—and went From marble monument to monument, And silently communed with those below; For of their life on earth I fain would know, And what they gained from life.

I was a king; o'er such a realm I reigned. The sunlight on some part of it remained The whole year through, and warriors at my call Were ever ready on my foes to fall; And there were pageants gay my heart to glad. But, oh, my crown was heavy! All I had Was but my food and clothes.

And I was rich. All day I sat at ease, And nothing did, except myself to please; I came and went again at my own will; I saw what eyes might see of life,—and still A thousand others were as rich and fine; Another owns the wealth that once was mine. I had but food and clothes.

And I was poor. I labored day by day; I toiled long hours for but a little pay; But then,—I saw the pageants going by; The rich man saw above no bluer sky Than I. Of everything I had enough, For, though my food was plain, my clothing rough, I had my food and clothes.

Fruitland, Oregon.