I am a reward, and a punishment too

I am a reward, and a punishment too,
What you may give, and what you may do,
Animal, mineral, both I may be,
Vegetable oftenest perhaps of the three.

Once, I know, as the story goes,
I was the cause of a bridegroom's woes ;

But often since I have dimmed the life
Of a wearily-sighing neglected wife.

Never a court without me was seen,
Never a vestry either, I ween,
Never a coach, and never a train,
Tho' sometimes a hindrance the latter to gain.

Famous I am for a long dark way,
Dismal as night in the brightest day.

From the depths of my bosom may rise and float
Many a soft and melodious note ;

Why should ye marvel ? The rich and fair,
The gay and gorgeous are often there.

Wherever the sweetest of sounds goes forth
Through the radiant south or the dreary north,"
A tale of me will be surely told,
Or false were the words of a prophecy old.

A little one longs to begin to do good,
I sometimes help it, and always could ;

Yet the hardened man and the cruel boy
May find in me a savage joy.
Give me, and oh, what a monster you'll be ;
Refuse me,' was e'er such a niggard as he ;'
Hire me, then you are rich, I conclude ;
Mount me, and then you may view and be viewed ;
Open me, perhaps you are even a thief,
Perhaps 'twas by way of consoling your grief;
Plant me, I see you are neat in your taste ;
Enter me — nervousness, flurry, and haste
Won't at all suit, so I pray you take heed,
Or counsel will into me put you indeed.