Poems (Crandall)/A Better Choice
A Better Choice
John built him a mansion so grand and high,Its gilded dome met the azure sky;With beautiful porches and pillars whiteAnd carven statues to left and right.From a terraced lawn rose the lofty frame,A structure whose majesty well becameJohn's station in life. His fashionable wifeApproved this marvel of costly stone;They dwell, the two, in this prison lone,With servants to hasten to every call;But a gloom, a shadow hangs over all Alas for John—poor John.
He had craved a position of wealth and power;Had struggled and hustled hour by hour;Had worked all day and schemed all night;And wrought out his schemes by the morning light;With scarcely a moment to eat or sleep,With never a thought how best to keepHis youthful strength;Until at length,Though courted and flattered on every hand,He finds with millions at his command,And servents to haste at his call and beck,The wonderful home of the soul, a wreck. Alas for John—poor John.
Jim married and lived on the homestead farm,Worked hard where the beauties of nature charm;He trained his muscles to honest toil,Breathed the fresh forest air as he tilled the soil,Drank pure living water and bathed in the stream,While the years flowed on like a happy dream;A peaceful life. Jims affectionate wifeKeeps the way of the home so pure and sweet;That a haven of refuge, a sure retreat,He finds when the busy day is done;A half dozen children with innocent fun Give pleasure to Jim—dear Jim.
He takes long walks thro' the country wideWith Mary, his chosen one, by his side;Finds joy in labor, in life and love;Thro' nature learns of his God above,While the soul's abode, grows strong and fair—A beautiful spirit dwelleth there.When the wild wind blows, And the home fire glows,He finds long hours to read and write,Long hours for study, and the nightBrings father and children heart to heart.Ah, Jim, thou hast chosen the better part True life and its joys, dear Jim