Explore "Valuation" by John Greenleaf Whittier on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
THE old Squire said, as he stood by his gate, / And his neighbor, the Deacon, went by, / "In spite of my bank stock and real estate, / You are better off, Deacon, than I.
"We're both growing old, and the end's drawing near, / You have less of this world to resign, / But in Heaven's appraisal your assets, I fear, / Will reckon up greater than mine.
"They say I am rich, but I'm feeling so poor, / I wish I could swap with you even / The pounds I have lived for and laid up in store / For the shillings and pence you have given."
"Well, Squire," said the Deacon, with shrewd / common sense, / While his eye had a twinkle of fun, / "Let your pounds take the way of my shillings / and pence, / And the thing can be easily done! " / 1880.