YOU are old, Father William, the young man cried, The few locks that are left you are gray; You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man, Now tell me the reason, I pray. In the days of my youth, Father William replied, I remember'd that youth would fly fast, And abused not my health and my vigour at first, That I never might need them at last. You are old, Father William, the young man cried, And pleasures with youth pass away, And yet you lament not the days that are gone, Now tell me the reason, I pray. In the days of my youth, Father William replied, I remember'd that youth could not last; I thought of the future, whatever I did, That I never might grieve for the past. You are old, Father William, the young man cried, And life must be hastening away; You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death! Now tell me the reason, I pray. I am cheerful, young man, Father William replied; Let the cause thy attention engage; In the days of my youth I remember'd my God! And he hath not forgotten my age. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...1914: 3. THE DEAD by RUPERT BROOKE TENEBRIS by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE SONG OF THE SILENT LAND by JOHANN GAUDENZ VON SALIS-SEEWIS THE TRUE LOVE-KNOTT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT FULLNESS OF THE BIBLE by H. J. BETTS A FAVOURITE SCENE; RECALLED ON LOOKING AT BIRKET FOSTER'S LANDSCAPE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |