Gifts

by James Thomson 1830-1897

Give a man a horse he can ride,

Give a man a boat he can sail;

And his rank and wealth, his strength and health,

On sea nor shore shall fail.

Give a man a pipe he can smoke,

Give a man a book he can read;

And his home is bright with a calm delight,

Though the room be poor indeed.

Give a man a girl he can love,

As I, O my love, love thee;

And his heart is great with the pulse of Fate,

At home, on land, on sea.