THE OFFER
"Tell me, would you rather be
Chang'd by a fairy to the fine
Young orphan heiress Geraldine,
Or still be Emily?
"Consider, ere you answer me,
How many blessings are procur'd
By riches, and how much endur'd
By chilling poverty."
After a pause, said Emily:
"In the words orphan heiress I
Find many a solid reason why
I would not changed be.
"What though I live in poverty,
And have of sisters eight—so many,
That few indulgences, if any,
Fall to the share of me;
"Think you that for wealth I'd be
Of ev'n the least of them bereft,
Or lose my parent, and be left
An orphan'd Emily?
"Still should I be Emily,
Although I look'd like Geraldine;
I feel within this heart of mine
No change could worked be."