The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar/The Debt

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

For other versions of this work, see The Debt (Dunbar).

THIS is the debt I pay
Just for one riotous day,
Years of regret and grief,
Sorrow without relief.

Pay it I will to the end --
Until the grave, my friend,
Gives me a true release --
Gives me the clasp of peace.

Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best --
God! but the interest!