Happy old man! who stretch'd beneath the shade Of large-grown trees, or in the rustic porch With woodbine canopied, where linger yet The hospitable virtues, calm enjoy'st Nature's best blessings all; a healthy age Ruddy and vigourous; native chearfulness, Plain-hearted friendship, simple piety, The rural manners and the rural joys Friendly to life. O rude of speech, yet rich In genuine worth; not unobserved shall pass Thy bashful virtues; for the Muse shall mark, Detect thy charities, and call to light Thy secret deeds of mercy; while the poor, The desolate and friendless at thy gate, A numerous family, with better praise Shall hallow in their hearts thy spotless name. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ONE WORD MORE by ROBERT BROWNING MNEMOSYNE by TRUMBULL STICKNEY YEW-TREES by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |