The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-02-24
The Poet Bryant on old Age.

At recent festive meeting OF inc Ovp,u-
ry Club of New York. given In honor OF tne
American poet, Brynnt-who is now in MS
seycntieth year, he spoke most beautifully OF
old age, 10 reply to an allusiOn in tho address
of Mr.. Bancroft, tho historian. Here arc
hi, words, and they arc well worth preserve
tion: ..... .,..,. :. L...s.f. I'D.
"Much has beon said Of tho wisdom OF old
age. Old age is wise, | grant, for itself. out
not wise for the community. 1t IL wise IN
declining new enterprises, Tor It has not tue
power nor the time to execute them; wise IN
shrinking from difficulty, for 1t has not tho
strength to overcome il; wise in avoiding
danger, for It lacks tho faculty OF ready and
swift action. by which dangers arc parried
and converted into advantages. But this is
not wisdom for mankind at large, by whom
new enterprises must be undertaken, dangers
met, and difficulties surmountcd. What
world this would be il It were made up OF
old men !-generation succeeding generation
OF hoary ancients who had but dozen years
or perhaps half that timo to 1.-Two! w nat
new work of good would DO attempted !
What existing abuse or evil corrected !
What strange subjects would the world al.
ford for the pencils Of our artists-groups OF
superannuated graybeards basking in the sun
through the long days Of spring. or huddling
like sheep in warm corners in tho winter
time; houses with tho timbers dropping
apart; cities in ruins roads unwrought and
impassible weedy gardens and fields with
surface feebly scratched to put In o scanty
harvest; feeble old men clambering into era.
zy old wagons. perhaps to be run away with,
or mounting horses, II they mount them at
all, in terror of being hurled from their
back like stone from sling, Well 1t is
that in this world of ours the old men are
but q very small minority. M ...,. ...I
All, Mr.. President, IL we could but stop
this rushing tide of time that bears US so
swiftly onward, and make 1t aow toward its
source; if wo could cause tho shadow to
turn back on the dial-plate! l SEQ before me
many excellent friends of mine, worthy to
live thousand years, on whose countenanc.
es years have set their seal, marking them
with the lines OF thought and care, and
causing their temples to glisten with the
frosts of life's autumn. If to any ono OF
these could be restored his glorious primo, his
golden yout !, with its hyacinthine locks. Its
smooth, and unwrinkled brow, its fresh and
70 ,nded check, its pearly and perfect teeth
its lustrous eyes, its light and bounding step,
it's frame full of energy, its exulting spirits.
its high hopes, its generous impulses, and
add all these to tho experience and liked
principles of mature ago, am sure MIR
President should start ut oncc to my feet
aud propose that, in commemoration OF such
q marvel, and by the way Of congratulnting
our friend who was its subject. we would
hold such iestivity rs the Century has nev-
or seen nor will ever see again. Eloquence
should bring its highest tribute, and art its
fairest decorations to grace the festival; the
most skilful musicians should be hero. with
all manner OF instruments OF music, ancient
and modern. We would have sackbut and
trumpet, and Shawn, and damsels will, dull
cimcrs, and q modern band three times as
large rs tho ono that now plays on tho balco-
ny. But why dwell on such u yain dream,
since It is only by passing through the dark.
ness that overhangs the Valley Of the Shad.
ow Of Death that man can reach his second
youth" s.... .r uf II
And to the ladies present ho gave his we'll
wishes, ina style more eloquent and poetic
than any similar thoughts We ever heard ex-
pressed r
"To them and to all members Of tho Cen.
tury allow me, Mr.. President, to offer tho
wish that they may live longer than have
done. in health OF body and mind, and In
the same contentmcnt and serenity ol spirit
which has fallen to my lot. must not over.
look tho ladies who have deigncd to honor
these rooms with their presence. IL ! knew
where and amid myrtle bowers and flowers
that never withcr. gushcd from the ground
tho Fountain Of Perpetual Youth 10 long
vainly sought by the first Spanish adventur.
ers on tho North American Continent,
would offer to the lips Of every ono OF them
q boaker of its fresh and sparkling waters,
and bid them drink uniading bloom"