Robert William Service

Here you will find the Poem The Sum-Up of poet Robert William Service

The Sum-Up

It is not power and fame
 That make success;
It is not rank or name
 Rate happiness.
It is not honour due
 Nor pile of pelf:
The pay-off is: Did you
 Enjoy yourself?
 
A pal of days gone by
 I reckon more
Of a success than I
 Who've gold in store
His life, though none too long,
 Was never dull:
Of woman, wine and song
 Bill had his full.

Friend, you are a success
 If you can say:
"A heap of happiness
 Has come my way.
No cheers have made me glad,
 No wealth I've won;
But oh how I have had
 A heap of FUN!"