I WANT a deep mine where the gold knows no measure, A house with the widest and rarest of rooms, Replete with the objects of beauty and pleasure, With tapestries done on the finest of looms. I want a great fleet that will compass the ocean, And bring me the choicest of all the world’s store. I want a cortege, with the deepest devotion Performing my bidding, my wishes--and more. I want a position of pow’r and of splendor, An empire to rule with the will of a king. I want the rich tribute that vassals can render, The praise that the lips of the loyal can bring. I want earth’s delights without limit or curbing, The richest that skill can conceive or design. One question alone is a little disturbing-- Just what shall I do with them when they are mine? The Lucky Man (1928) He struggled on and upward, Impelled by high ambition. He bent his strongest efforts To better his condition. He paid the price of labor, As others had before him. A rich and bounteous harvest His earnest efforts bore him. Two loafers were exchanging Their shallow talk one morning, Their conversation ranging From filthiness to scorning. He passed. One said: “There’s Sweezy. My way was always rocky. But some folks have it easy. That fellow sure is lucky.” Success and Failure (1928) Whoever builds a mighty name And fills the country with his fame, Who seeks and uses earthly power To make a stately triumph hour, Who rears a mansion rich and high To frown against the kindly sky, If he has not found happiness Is still a failure none the less. Whoever dwells in humble walls Where only toilsome care befalls, Who plans when dear ones are in bed Where shall be found to-morrow’s bread, To cheer whose heart Life only brings The humble joy of simple things, If happiness has crowned his name, He is successful just the same. The Trouble with the Movies (1928) [Transcriber’s note: All verses are italicized.] The trouble with the movies, As it appears to me, Is not what the wise people About me seem to see. But I do raise objection In accents bold and high To one outstanding evil The waste of custard pie. If all that precious pastry Thrown with such ready grace, Such technique and precision, At some poor fellow’s face, Were gathered all together For my convenience, I Would just retire from labor And live on custard pie. Walking with God (1928) WHO walks with God must take his way Across far distances and gray To goals that others do not see, Where others do not care to be. Who walks with God must have no fear When danger and defeat appear, Nor stop when every hope seems gone, For God, our God, moves ever on.