Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS AND HOW HE GAINED THEM, by ROBERT SOUTHEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS AND HOW HE GAINED THEM, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: You are old, father william,' the young man cried
Last Line: And he hath not forgotten my age.
Variant Title(s): Father William
Subject(s): Clergy; Comfort; Faith; God; Men; Old Age; Prayer; Youth; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops; Belief; Creed


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.





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