Poems (Griffin)/A Good Name

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A GOOD NAME. 
"Good name, in man, or woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse, steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed."—Othello, Act III. Sc. 3.

TAKE, take from me those paltry things,—
 The vanities of earth,
And break the ties affection flings
 Around the social hearth;
Bask in the joys of earthly wealth,
 And triumph in the fame
The world can give; but do not filch
 From me my spotless name.

Let fortune fly, and with it those
 Who worship at its shrine;
The transient bliss of gaudy show
 I care not to resign.
I envy not the proudling's wealth,
 With all its pomp and fame;
But I would venture life to save
 A pure, untarnished name.

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