A golden cradle under you, and you young; A right mother and a strong kiss. A lively horse, and you a boy; A school and learning and close companions. A beautiful wife, and you a man; A wide house and everything that is good. A fine wife, children, susbtance; Cattle, means, herds and flocks. A place to sit, a place to lie down; Plenty of food and plenty to drink. After that, an old man among old men; Respect on you and honour on you. Head of the court, of the jury, of the meeting, And the counsellors not the worse for having you. At the end of your days death, and then Hiding away; the boards and the church. What are you better after tonight Than Ned the beggar or Seaghan the fool? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GEORGE MOORE by MARIANNE MOORE THE DARK HOUSE by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON MIDSUMMER FROST (2) by ISAAC ROSENBERG A SENSE OF DIRECTION by KAREN SWENSON THE SHPEHERD'S HOUR by PAUL VERLAINE RUINES OF ROME by JOACHIM DU BELLAY ON ANOTHER'S SORROW, FR. SONGS OF INNOCENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE |