Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MRS. THRALE [ON HER COMPLETING HER THIRTY-FIFTH YEAR] by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784)

Poet Analysis

First Line: OFT IN DANGER, YET ALIVE
Last Line: MUST LOOK ON THRALE AT THIRTY-FIVE.
Subject(s): PIOZZI, HESTER LYNCH (1741-1821); THRALE, MRS.;

OFT in danger, yet alive,
We are come to thirty-five;
Long may better years arrive,
Better years than thirty-five!
Could philosophers contrive
Life to stop at thirty-five,
Time his hours should never drive
O'er the bounds of thirty-five,
High to soar and deep to dive,
Nature gives at thirty-five,
Ladies, stock and tend your hive,
Trifle not at thirty-five;
For, howe'er we boast and strive,
Life declines from thirty-five,
He that ever hopes to thrive
Must begin by thirty-five;
And all who wisely wish to wive
Must look on Thrale at thirty-five.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net