Two poets were born where the skies were fair,
To live in the land hereafter;
And one was a singer of sorrow and care,
And one was a bard of laughter.
With simple measure and simple word,
The feelings of mankind voicing --
And light hearts listened and sad hearts heard,
And they went on their way rejoicing.
The glad rejoiced that the world was gay --
Who took no thought of the morrow --
And it ever has lightened the sad hearts' way
To hear of another's sorrow.
The poets died while none were aware,
(For no one could see the token),
That light of heart was the bard of care,
But the heart of the other was broken.
First published in Lone Hand, 1 September 1913
