A father had two children, Will and Christy - The last a bright young lad, the first a dull humdrum. One day, perceiving that his hour was come, Stretched on the bed of death he glanced with misty Eye around the room in search of Christy- "My son," he said, "sad thoughts begin to darken My mind. You are a genius. What a task it Will be for you to face the world! But hearken! Inside my desk there lies a little casket Of jewels. Take them all, my son, And lock them up, and give your brother none." The youth was wonder-struck. He thought this droll, And looking in his father's face, he said- "But, bless me, father! if I take the whole, What is poor Will to do? I greatly dread-" "Dread nothing, Christy," interrupted t'other; "There's not the slightest ground for this timidity; I'll warrant you your booby of a brother Will make his way through life by sheer stupidity!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SLAVE TRADE: VIEW FROM THE MIDDLE PASSAGE by CLARENCE MAJOR SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: RICHARD BONE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE INNOVATOR by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET THE HERONS OF ELMWOOD by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW KATHLEEN O'MORE by GEORGE NUGENT REYNOLDS VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1883 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI IMAGINATION, FR. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |