Skip to content
Linespedia

Valuation

By John Greenleaf Whittier

Topics: classic

The old Squire said, as he stood by his gate,     And his neighbor, the Deacon, went by,     "In spite of my bank stock and real estate,     You are better off, Deacon, than I.     "We're both growing old, and the end's drawing near,     You have less of this world to resign,     But in Heaven's appraisal your assets, I fear,     Will reckon up greater than mine.     "They say I am rich, but I'm feeling so poor,     I wish I could swap with you even     The pounds I have lived for and laid up in store     For the shillings and pence you have given."     "Well, Squire," said the Deacon, with shrewd common sense,     While his eye had a twinkle of fun,     "Let your pounds take the way of my shillings and pence,     And the thing can be easily done!"

AI analysis available. Enable JavaScript to interact.

About this line

"The old Squire said, as he stood by his gate,..."

"Valuation" is a quintessential example of John Greenleaf Whittier's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

Attribution & Rights

Author:John Greenleaf Whittier

"The old Squire said, as he stood by his gate,..." by John Greenleaf Whittier

For usage rights, copyright concerns, or to report an issue with this content, please visit our Copyright & Report page.

Related lines

"Gallery of sacred pictures manifold,     A minster rich in holy effigies,     And bearing on entablature and frieze     The hieroglyphic oracle"

"Through the long hall the shuttered windows shed     A dubious light on every upturned head;     On locks like those of Absalom the fair,     O"

"At the unveiling of his statue.     Among their graven shapes to whom     Thy civic wreaths belong,     O city of his love, make room     F"

"Thrice welcome from the Land of Flowers     And golden-fruited orange bowers     To this sweet, green-turfed June of ours!     To her who, in o"

"Here morning in the ploughman's songs is met     Ere yet one footstep shows in all the sky,     And twilight in the east, a doubt as yet,     S"

"The Text is taken from Percy's Reliques (1765), vol. i. p. 71, 'given from two MS. copies, transmitted from Scotland.' Herd had a very similar bal"

John Greenleaf Whittier

About John Greenleaf Whittier

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892) was an American Quaker poet and abolitionist whose poems—including "Snow-Bound" and "Barbara Frietchie"—celebrate New England life and moral courage. He was one of the Fireside Poets and a leading voice against slavery.

Full Bibliography
Continue Reading

"Gallery of sacred pictures manifold,     A minster..."

Weekly Poetic Insight

Join our literary Sanctuary

Get the most inspiring lines, poetic analysis, and secret shayaris delivered to your inbox every Sunday.