THE TALISMAN

By Henry Van Dyke

What is Fortune, what is Fame?

Futile gold and phantom name,—

Riches buried in a cave,

Glory written on a grave.

What is Friendship? Something deep

That the heart can spend and keep:

Wealth that greatens while we give,

Praise that heartens us to live.

Come, my friend, and let us prove

Life's true talisman is love!

By this charm we shall elude

Poverty and solitude.