 | The harp and plow |  |
114
TO AN OLD PAIR OF BREECHES.
Adieu! past all redemption torn!
The brunt of service you have borne
Bravely and long, and well have worn
Your seams and stitches;
But now your latter end I mourn,
My veteran breeches.
The brunt of service you have borne
Bravely and long, and well have worn
Your seams and stitches;
But now your latter end I mourn,
My veteran breeches.
I call to mind when thou wert new,
Your nap was smooth, and bright your hue
Of colors best,—the steadfast blue;
With secret fears
I take the retrospective view;
And all appears!
Your nap was smooth, and bright your hue
Of colors best,—the steadfast blue;
With secret fears
I take the retrospective view;
And all appears!
I cannot wear you more; O, no!
I may not such exposure show
As long-eared beast, long time ago,
In lion's skin;
That skin was rent, we know, and, lo!
The ass within.
I may not such exposure show
As long-eared beast, long time ago,
In lion's skin;
That skin was rent, we know, and, lo!
The ass within.
115
'T is hard to cast you by,—'t is sad;
A better pair was never had
Than were you when at first you clad
Your lord and master;
But then your present case is bad,—
O, dire disaster!
A better pair was never had
Than were you when at first you clad
Your lord and master;
But then your present case is bad,—
O, dire disaster!
Yes, made to wear, and not to sell,
You kept together long and well;
And when, at last, you failed—O! tell,
Were you misused?
I stood astonished for ‘a spell,’
And back-ward mused.
You kept together long and well;
And when, at last, you failed—O! tell,
Were you misused?
I stood astonished for ‘a spell,’
And back-ward mused.
Your comely front your owner's care
Preserved in aspect good and fair;
The tooth of time 't would even dare
Another year;
When fiercely fell old Wear-and-tear
Upon the rear.
Preserved in aspect good and fair;
The tooth of time 't would even dare
Another year;
When fiercely fell old Wear-and-tear
Upon the rear.
But never mind; all things must fail,
Both mind and matter, head and tail;
And since your case is past all bail
By ‘sharps’ and shears,
'T is useless longer to bewail
Your rent arrears.
Both mind and matter, head and tail;
And since your case is past all bail
By ‘sharps’ and shears,
'T is useless longer to bewail
Your rent arrears.
| The harp and plow | |