This is the truth as I see it, my dear,
Out in the wind and the rain:
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This is the truth as I see it, my dear,
Out in the wind and the rain:
They who have nothing have little to fear,
Nothing to lose or to gain.

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
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Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
And a few Friends, and many Books both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too.
And since Love ne'er will from me flee,
A mistress moderately fair,
And good as Guardian angels are,
Only belov'd and loving me.

For what one has in black and white,
One can carry home in comfort.
[Ger., Denn was read more

For what one has in black and white,
One can carry home in comfort.
[Ger., Denn was man schwarz auf weiss besitzt,
Kann man getrost nach Hause tragen.]

How could there be any question of acquiring or possessing, when the one thing needful for a man is to read more

How could there be any question of acquiring or possessing, when the one thing needful for a man is to become - to be at last, and to die in the fullness of his being.

Property has its duties as well as its rights.

Property has its duties as well as its rights.

Cleon hath ten thousand acres,--
Ne'er a one have I;
Cleon dwelleth in a place,--
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Cleon hath ten thousand acres,--
Ne'er a one have I;
Cleon dwelleth in a place,--
In a cottage I.

Possession means to sit astride the world
Instead of having it astride of you.

Possession means to sit astride the world
Instead of having it astride of you.

Britannia needs no bulwarks
No towers along the steep;
Her march is o'er the mountain wave,
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Britannia needs no bulwarks
No towers along the steep;
Her march is o'er the mountain wave,
Her home is on the deep.

When I behold what pleasure is Pursuit,
What life, what glorious eagerness it is,
Then mark how read more

When I behold what pleasure is Pursuit,
What life, what glorious eagerness it is,
Then mark how full Possession falls from this,
How fairer seems the blossom than the fruit,--
I am perplext, and often stricken mute.
Wondering which attained the higher bliss,
The wing'd insect, or the chrysalis
It thrust aside with unreluctant foot.