Poem by Thomas Dunn English

“Psyche Loves Me”

I have no gold, no lands, no robes of splendor,
No crowd of sycophants to siege my door;
But fortune in one thing at least is tender--
For Psyche loves me! Could I ask for more?

I have no fame, nor to the height of honor
Will my poor name on tireless pinions soar;
Yet Fate has never drawn my hate upon her--
For Psyche loves me1!Could I ask for more?

I have no station, know no high position,
And never yet the robes of office wore;
Yet I can well afford to scorn ambition--
For Psyche loves me! Could I ask for more?

I have no beauty--beauty has forsworn me,
On others wasting all her charming store:
Yet I lack nothing now which could adorn me--
For Psyche loves me! Could I ask for more?

I have no learning--in nor school nor college
Could I abide o'er quaint old tomes to pour;
But this I know which passeth all your knowledge--
That Psyche loves me! Could I ask for more?

Now come what may, or loss or shame or sorrow,
Sickness, ingratitude or treachery sore,
I laugh today and heed not for the morrow--
For Psyche loves me--and I ask no more.

1. Arnold at Stillwater
2. Haymaking
3. The Battle of New Orleans
4. Songs: The Old Mill
5. Ben Bolt

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