{"product_id":"2940016177755","title":"When I was King and Other Verses","description":"PREFACE\u003cbr\u003eMANY of the verses in this volume appeared originally in the SYDNEY Bulletin, others in the Daily Telegraph, Town and Country Journal, Evening News, World's News, Australian Star, Amateur Gardener, and KALGOORLIE Sun, while eleven are reprinted from The Children of the Bush, published by Messrs. Methuen and Co., London.\u003cbr\u003eThe author acknowledges the courteous permission of the publishers of the foregoing to include the respective pieces here. Out of deference to repeated requests, one of the pieces omitted from the later editions of When the World was Wide is here restored to print.\u003cbr\u003eTHE CROSS-ROADS\u003cbr\u003eONCE more I write a line to you,\u003cbr\u003e    While darker shadows fall;\u003cbr\u003eDear friends of mine who have been true,\u003cbr\u003e    And steadfast through it all.\u003cbr\u003eIf I have written bitter rhymes,\u003cbr\u003e    With many lines that halt,\u003cbr\u003eAnd if I have been false at times\u003cbr\u003e    It was not all my fault.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo Heaven's decree I would not bow,\u003cbr\u003e    And I sank very low--\u003cbr\u003eThe bitter things are written now,\u003cbr\u003e    And we must let them go.\u003cbr\u003eBut I feel softened as I write;\u003cbr\u003e    The better spirit springs,\u003cbr\u003eAnd I am very sad to-night\u003cbr\u003e    Because of many things.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe friendships that I have abused,\u003cbr\u003e    The trust I did betray,\u003cbr\u003eThe talents that I have misused,\u003cbr\u003e    The gifts I threw away.\u003cbr\u003eThe things that did me little good,\u003cbr\u003e    And--well my cheeks might burn--\u003cbr\u003eThe kindly letters that I should\u003cbr\u003e    Have answered by return.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut you might deem them answered now,\u003cbr\u003e    And answered from my heart;\u003cbr\u003eAnd injured friends will understand\u003cbr\u003e    'Tis I who feel the smart.\u003cbr\u003eBut I have done with barren strife\u003cbr\u003e    And dark imaginings,\u003cbr\u003eAnd in my future work and life\u003cbr\u003e    Will seek the better things.","brand":"WDS Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47081189933296,"sku":"2940016177755","price":2.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940016177755_p0.jpg?v=1763630628","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940016177755","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}