A PLEA
Reading edition
Take you such gold as I have, old Time; ’Tis a trifling thing that you win; For what is gold but a sordid lure, All blotched with the blood of men? ’Tis little I care for the filthy stuff, And less is my need thereof; Take you such gold as I have, old Time, But leave me a little love! Take you the cold world’s praise, old Time; ’Tis hollow and false, I know; For Honor, at best, is an empty name, And Fame but a trumpet the foolish blow; Take them and bid them fly fast from me, Fly fast as a homing dove; Take you the cold world’s praise, old Time, But leave me a little love! Yea, leave me a little love, old Time, And take you all else you prize; For Love will sweeten the saddest heart Like a blossom from Paradise. ’Tis the goodliest gift of God to man, A treasure fine gold above; So, take you all else you prize, old Time, But leave me a little love! Hilton R. Greer.