Classic Poem

" Here, take the world, " cried mighty Zeus, addressing
Mankind at large from his high throne above.
" I give it you for ever with my blessing;
But share it with fraternal love. "

Then hastened every hand to the partition:
With equal ardour young and aged came.
The crops aroused the husbandman's ambition,
The young blood fixed upon the game.

The merchant ran to fill his stores with treasure,
The Abbot singled out the oldest wine,
The King blocked roads and bridges at his pleasure,
And cried: " A tithe of all is mine. "

Just at the last, when all had been provided,
The Poet came: he came from far away.
Alas! no more remained to be divided,
And all things owned some master's sway.

" Ah! Woe is me! am I alone neglected,
Of all mankind thy dearest, truest son? "
Thus wailing loud, in attitude dejected
He crouched before Jove's awful throne.

" If thou to dwell in dreamland hast elected, "
Replied the God, " lay not the blame on me.
Where wast thou when the sharing was effected? "
" I was, " the Poet said, " by thee. "

" Mine eye upon thy countenance was dwelling,
Thy heavenly harmony entranced mine ear;
Forgive the mind thine influence compelling
Rendered oblivious of this sphere. "

" What can I do? " said Zeus, " for all is given;
The harvest, sport, the markets, all are seized.
But an thou choose to live with me in heaven,
Come when thou willst, and I shall be well pleased. "