Which

Who then is rich, who poor? I'll tell you now             Of one, a meagre life who had to live,         Wear dingy garb, and scarcely could allow             Himself what men call comfort; yet to give         Was his delight, - to give full-heartedly.             Though Fate had hampered him, he always knew         Some one still poorer. In humility             He thus gave hope to him who had small view         Of happier things; - solace to him who wept; -             And to the beaten courage to endure.         He shared his little with the starved, and kept             His best for those who needed most. Though poor,                     By giving he grew richer day by day                     In all that brightens life's uncertain way.         There was another who had never known             A wish unsatisfied. For everything         That luxury could offer was his own.             Thus all that learning, all that wealth could bring         Adorned his life. The many him would praise, -             For this world loves the prosperous, - and still         Close to himself he hugged his all. To raise             A helping hand he never had the will.         He never heard the cries of men in need.             Of all he had he would not give a part.         For "I" and "mine" was ever his one creed.             No balm had he for any aching heart.                     Mean was his life (as was the other's great)                     Despite the splendor of his high estate.         And now in yonder world I wonder which -         For both are dead - is counted poor - or rich.