from THE SUICIDE
          - Edna St. Vincent Millay

- I love thee more than they
Who serve thee most; yet serve thee in no way.
Father, I beg of thee a little task
To dignify my days - 'tis all I ask......

        "Child," my father's voice replied,
"All things thy fancy have desired of me
Thou hast received. I have prepared for thee
Within my house a spacious chamber where
Are delicate things to handle and to wear,
And all these things are thine. Dost thou love song?
My minstrels shall attend thee all day long.
Or sigh for flowers? My fairest gardens stand
Open as fields to thee on every hand.
And all thy days this word shall hold the same:
No pleasure shalt thou lack that thou shalt name.
But as for tasks -" he smiled and shook his head;
"Thou hadst thy task, and laidst it by," he said.