Harmonies (Howe collection)/Giving and Keeping
GIVING AND KEEPING
Better than thy gift, dear friend,
Rare and precious though it be,
Is the thing thou couldst not send
From thy inmost heart to me.
Rare and precious though it be,
Is the thing thou couldst not send
From thy inmost heart to me.
Who am I to say thee so?
Who but one taught long and well
That from out the hand can go
Naught that in the heart doth dwell?
Who but one taught long and well
That from out the hand can go
Naught that in the heart doth dwell?
When to thee with gem or flower,
I would offer most besides,
Then, beyond a giver's power,
Most within me still abides.
I would offer most besides,
Then, beyond a giver's power,
Most within me still abides.