Explore "Contentment" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
If any line that I ever penned, / Or any word I have spoken, / Has comforted heart, of foe or friend -- / In any way, why my life, I'll say / Has reaped the reward of labor. / If aught I have said, or written, has made / Gladder the heart o' my neighbor.
If any deed that I ever did / Lightened a sad heart's sorrow, / If I have lifted a drooping lid / Up to the bright to-morrow, / Though the world knows not, nor gives me a thought, / Nor ever can know, nor praise me. / Yet still I shall say, to my heart alway, / That my life, and labor repays me.
If in any way I have helped a soul, / Or given a spirit pleasure, / Then my cup of joy, I shall think is full / With an overflowing measure. / Though never an eye, but the one on high / Looks on my kindly action, / Yet, oh my heart, we shall think of our part / in the drama, with satisfaction.