His, who careless of her favor, standeth fearless in his own;
His, who for the vague to-morrow barters not the sure to-day--
Master of himself, and sternly steadfast to the rightful way:
Very mindful of past service, valiant, faithful, true of heart--
Unto such comes Lakshmi[9] smiling--comes, and will not lightly part.'

"What indeed," continued Slow-toes, "is wealth, that we should prize it,
or grieve to lose it?--

'Be not haughty, being wealthy; droop not, having lost thine all;
Fate doth play with mortal fortunes as a girl doth toss her ball.'

It is unstable by nature. We are told--

'Worldly friendships, fair but fleeting, shadows of the clouds at noon
Women, youth, new corn, and riches--these be pleasures passing soon.'

And it is idle to be anxious; the Master of Life knows how to sustain
it. Is it not written?--

'For thy bread be not o'er thoughtful--God for all hath taken thought:
When the babe is born, the sweet milk to the mother's breast is
brought.

He who gave the swan her silver, and the hawk her plumes of pride,
And his purples to the peacock--He will verily provide.'

"Yes, verily," said Slow-toes, "wealth is bad to handle, and better left
alone; there is no truer saying than this--