University of Virginia Library

TO WHITTIER ON HIS SEVENTIETH BIRTHDAY.

Ten gentle-hearted boys of seven,
Too young and sweet to stray from heaven,
Will—counting up the little men—
Amount to three score years and ten.
Two gracious men of thirty-five,
With wits alight and hearts alive,
Will fill complete the rounded spheres
Of seventy strong and manly years.
Nay, Whittier, thou art not old;
Thy register a lie hath told,
For lives devote to love and truth
Do only multiply their youth.

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Thou art ten gentle boys of seven,
With souls too sweet to stray from heaven:
Thou art two men of thirty-five,
With wits alight, and hearts alive!