The Old Man's Comforts, And How He Gained Them

  "You are old, Father William," the young man cried;     "The few locks which 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 remembered that youth would fly fast,   And abused not my health and my vigor 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 remembered 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 remembered my God;     And he hath not forgotten my age." ROBERT SOUTHEY