University of Virginia Library

An Olde Man. 49.

The Instance of a Tract of Tyme of Yeares,
VVhere-in declyning, Natures Power appeares:
VVhen by Defect of Senses see wee may,
The vse of Reason both restraind, and stay.
Bot yet his Knowledge with his Tyme conferre,
And hee shall prooue Experience Kalendar.
Tho in the power of Action hee is not,
As't were a Blanke, extracted from a Lot.
Hee is a Subject bot of Sicknesse now,
And VVeaknesse Agent, that the Backe most bow.
Crost with the Coagh, and a corrupted Breath:
And so Præcursor to approaching Death.
An Olde Man, is bot halfe a Man, and twyse
Hee turnes to bee a Bairne, and Childish lyes.
Hee's bot the living Picture of a Man,
And is a verie dying Creature than.
Beholde him well, and in effect you'll finde
Him bot a Bladder, blowne and stuft with VVinde.
Hee's lyke a withred Tree, and arride Root,
That buds not, flowrisheth, nor beares no Fruit.
And lyke a VVeather-worne, and Tyme-torne House,
Decaying fast, and falling ruinous.
Tho in his dying and declyning Grouth,
Yet is hee Pepper in the Eyes of Youth.
Hee is the jest of Loue, and for Infirmitie
Hee may the Mirrour bee of Miserie.
Yet Aged Lockes, and Silver Haires, deserue
That Youth should reverence, regard, and serue.
For Honour often tymes, and VVisdome both,
Into an Olde Mans Gowne and Garment go'th.
Ag'd Gravitie, and great Experience,
Doth challenge both Respect and Reverence.
His wyse Advyse, his Counsell true and sage,
By Practise long, oft proov'd, from Youth to Age,
Should with all States and Persons bee respected:
And not in Honourable Age neglected.
His Wordes are Oracles; they should bee Noted
In Kalendars, for Common vse, and Quoted,
His Actions should bee imitate, and choosed,
To bee there-after for Exemples vsed.
But as the Tyme, and Torch of Waxe doth waste;
So, liue hee nere so long, hee dies at last.