Names and Faces

I do not ask a store of wealth,

Nor special gift of power;

I hope always for strength and health

To brave each troubled hour.

But life would be distinctly good,

However low my place is,

Had I a memory that could

Remember names and faces.

I am not troubled by the fact

That common skill is mine;

I care not that my life has lacked

The glory of the fine.

But, oh, when someone speaks to me,

My cheeks grow red with shame

Because I'm sure that he must see

That I have lost his name.

Embarrassment, where'er I go,

Pursues me night and day;

I hear some good friend's glad “Hello,”

And stop a word to say.

His voice melodiously may ring,

But that's all lost on me,

For all the time I'm wondering

Whoever can he be.

I envy no man's talent rare

Save his who can repeat

The names of men, no matter where

It is they chance to meet.

For he escapes the bitter blow,

The sorrow and regret,

Of greeting friends he ought to know

As though they'd never met.

I do not ask a store of gold,

High station here, or fame;

I have no burning wish to hold

The popular acclaim;

Life's lanes I'd gladly journey through,

Nor mind the stony places,

Could I but do as others do

And know men's names and faces!