Which Hand?

“Which hand will you have, the right or the left?”

     Is a question we hear every day,

From fool and from sage, from youth and old age,

     From children immersed in their play.

“Which hand will you have, the right or the left?”

     I’ll tell you the right one for me;

The hand which contains no ill-gotten gains,

     The hand that is open and free.

If the right hand holds wealth with all that it brings,

     Its nights with wearisome sleep;

Its burdens and cares, its pitfalls and snares,

     Then I ask you the right one to keep.

If the left hand holds poverty, honest and true,

     Possessing from day unto day

A satisfied mind, and a love for mankind,

     Then give me the left one I say.

Aug. 4, 1900