BURDEN BEARERS by MARY FARRIES

He is your son, the child of gracious love
And cherished wealth who does not know a care;
And would you fashion him a place above
The common men ... the toilers? Do you dare
To hope that he can govern mankind well
Who does not understand that life is hard
For those who strive? Can pampered birth-right tell
Of hope to sweating bodies torn and scarred?

But let him jostle men and learn of pain
Of patience, kindliness and sympathy;
To know his simple pleasures loss or gain
Of others more unfortunate than he.
Then can he rule with kindness ... know the worth
Of the burden-bearers ... they who dig the earth.

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