Love and a Friend

"What did you gather of worth and pride?"

Said the Angel of the Lord.

"Little by skill," the soul replied

"And nothing by the sword;

I lived the span of my years and died,

And I gave when I could afford."

"You bring no more than you took away"

Said the Angel, soft and low,

"Neither fame nor fortune marks your stay

Of toil on the earth below;

And I fancy now you are going to say

It wasn't worth while to go."

"I saw the light in my baby's eye

And I felt her hand in mine;

I treasured her love as the days went by

Though I builded no lasting sign;

Of my time on earth, I should say that I

Had blessings nine times nine.

"And a friend I had who was tried and true

Who shared in my bit of woe;

He wept whenever a grief I knew

And smiled when the hurt would go,

And all that I suffered I'd brave anew

Another such friend to know.

"Oh, it's little I gathered of earthly pride

And it's little I did of worth;

But to sit again at my own fireside

I'd pass through another birth."

"Love and a friend," the Angel replied,

"Are the two great joys of earth."

-Edgar A. Guest