THE CHEAT

I cheated a good friend yesterday,

Kept what was his, and went my way,

Wronged him by silence-for in haste

I let a glad thought go to waste.

I had a word of cheer to speak,

To strengthen him when he grew weak,

To send him smiling on his way -

But what I thought I didn't say.

He would have richer been to know

That deed of his had pleased me so,

But oh, I failed to let him see

How much his conquest meant to me.

I cheated him of words of praise

Which would have cheered his troubled days;

In this a faithful friend I wronged,

By keeping what to him belonged.

The praise was his by right to hear,

To him belonged my word of cheer;

In silence, though, from him I turned

And cheated him of what he'd earned.