Compensation (Dunbar)

For works with similar titles, see Compensation.

Compensation by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Because I had loved so deeply,
     Because I had loved so long,
God in His great compassion
     Gave me the gift of song.

Because I have loved so vainly,
     And sung with such faltering breath,
The Master in infinite mercy
     Offers the boon of Death.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.