Thoughtful in youth, but not austere in age; Calm, but not cold, and cheerful though a sage; Too true to flatter and too kind to sneer, And only just when seemingly severe; So gently blending courtesy and art That wisdom's lips seemed borrowing friendship's heart. Taught by the sorrows that his age had known In others' trials to forget his own, As hour by hour his lengthened day declined, A sweeter radiance lingered o'er his mind. Cold were the lips that spoke his early praise, And hushed the voices of his morning days, Yet the same accents dwelt on every tongue, And love renewing kept him ever young. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MADRIGAL: 1 by WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN TRANSFORMATIONS by THOMAS HARDY TO HIS DYING BROTHER, MASTER WILLIAM HERRICK by ROBERT HERRICK GYPSY MAN by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES THE BLUNDER by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE THE MEANING by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |