My Virtual Reading Room

"You have health," said they, to a woodsman tanned,
"And so have your children three;
You are truly blessed, for that gift is best"--
"I would I were rich," said he.

"You have gold, " they said, to a man of wealth,
"You can buy what is ever sold."
"Yes," said he, "but I'd happier be
With the strength of the woodsman bold."

Then they found them a man with a well-filled purse,
And sturdy and strong was he,
But he said with a sigh: "No child have I,
But the woodsman there has three."

They searched them high and they searched them low
And back to the king they went,
And they said: "No man in this royal clan
Sits down by his fire content.

"The woodsman sighs for the rich man's gold,
And the rich man vows that he
Would give his wealth for the woodsman's health,
Or even his children three.

"None thinketh himself by the good Lord blessed,
But counteth his neighbor glad,
And is sure that he would happier be
If the neighbor's joy he had."

There is none who knoweth life's joys complete,
For so do God's blessings fall
That all are blessed as He deemeth best,
But none may have them all.

(Edgar A. Guest)