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Poem by Robert William Service


The Sum-Up


It is not power and fame
That make success;
It is not rank or name
Rate happiness.
It is not honour due
Nor pile of pelf:
The pay-off is: Did you
Enjoy yourself?

A pal of days gone by
I reckon more
Of a success than I
Who've gold in store
His life, though none too long,
Was never dull:
Of woman, wine and song
Bill had his full.

Friend, you are a success
If you can say:
"A heap of happiness
Has come my way.
No cheers have made me glad,
No wealth I've won;
But oh how I have had
A heap of FUN!"



Robert William Service


Robert William Service's other poems:
  1. “Fighting Mac”
  2. The March of the Dead
  3. The Cremation of Sam Mcgee
  4. Music in the Bush
  5. The Rhyme of the Remittance Man


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