HONOR, FAME, OR LOVE.
High Honor came to visit me,
And with him goddess Fame.
But Happiness deserted me
When Fame and Honor came.
I courted Honor, courted Fame,
They coldly smiled on me;
They soon became unwelcome guests,
For they caused Love to flee.
I fain would then have cast aside
The guests which I had sought.
Alas! It was too late, for they
Had then the evil wrought.
They were installed as guests of mine,
But soon I weary grew
Of their commands, of their demands,
And begged that Love renew
Dominion o’er my heart and home;
For home is drear indeed,
Though lacking nothing but sweet Love;
For Love the world doth lead.
My guests brought Jealousy one day.
Destroyer it, of peace.
When he came in, Love fled in fright,
And took with her sweet peace.
For Honor, Fame, and Love, can ne’er
In peace together dwell.
When Jealousy once joins the throng,
It is Love’s funeral knell.
When Love within our household reigns
Let none usurp her place.
She is the queen that e’er should rule,
And none should her abase.