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150
Peculations.
Though you may never notice me,
Nor e'er your loss recall,
I tell you, that instinctively
I wrong and rob you all.

Some trifle that you never miss,
Some touch of voice or face,
A legal peculation this
Upon the human race.

Some shadow that your eyes have caught
From depths I never plumbed,
Some wisdom from a bonk of thought
That I have never thumbed.

You toil, and though you do not heed,
I share in your reward,
The seal of your accomplished deed
Is added to my hoard.

The largesse of all happy minds
I glean in shining sheaves,
And what the greedy miser binds
My greedier spirit thieves.