Reward

Do n't want medals on my breast,

Do n't want all the glory,

I'm not worrying greatly lest

The world wo n't hear my story.

A chance to dream beside a stream

Where fish are biting free;

A day or two,‘ neath skies of blue,

Is joy enough for me.

I do not ask a hoard of gold,

Nor treasures rich and rare;

I do n't want all the joys to hold;

I only want a share.

Just now and then, away from men

And all their haunts of pride,

If I can steal, with rod and reel,

I will be satisfied.

I'll gladly work my way through life;

I would not always play;

I only ask to quit the strife

For an occasional day.

If I can sneak from toil a week

To chum with stream and tree,

I'll fish away and smiling say

That life's been good to me.