Better Things

Better to smell the violet cool, than sip the glowing wine; Better to hark a hidden brook, than watch a diamond shine.

Better the love of a gentle heart, than beauty's favor proud; Better the rose's living seed, than roses in a crowd.

Better to love in loneliness, than to bask in love all day; Better the fountain in the heart, than the fountain by the way.

Better be fed by a mother's hand, than eat alone at will; Better to trust in God, than say: "My goods my storehouse fill."

Better to be a little wise, than in knowledge to abound; Better to teach a child, than toil to fill perfection's round.