Lines in Pleasant Places Rhythmics of many moods and quantities. Wise and otherwise |
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[All the day, all the day] |
 | Lines in Pleasant Places |  |
[All the day, all the day]
All the day, all the day,
There sits an old man o'er the way;
His locks are thin, and scant, and gray.
There sits an old man o'er the way;
His locks are thin, and scant, and gray.
A plaided cloak his shoulders bear,
With rifts and patches here and there,
A title page of seedy care.
With rifts and patches here and there,
A title page of seedy care.
The pedals of the mortal old
In winter's air are very cold;
So a basket doth them hold.
In winter's air are very cold;
So a basket doth them hold.
An old fur cap is on his head,
From which the nap has long time fled,
As 'twere a conscience-haunted bed.
From which the nap has long time fled,
As 'twere a conscience-haunted bed.
A pleasant smile his face reveals,
That no obscuring cloud conceals;
He smiles like one who happy feels.
That no obscuring cloud conceals;
He smiles like one who happy feels.
All the day, all the day,
Sits the plaided old man gray,
Selling apples o'er the way.
Sits the plaided old man gray,
Selling apples o'er the way.
A little handful all his store,
Never waning, never more;
Like that old fairy purse of yore.
Never waning, never more;
Like that old fairy purse of yore.
302
What he thinks no man may know—
Whether feels he joy or woe,
Reason's light or fancy's glow.
Whether feels he joy or woe,
Reason's light or fancy's glow.
Doubtless memory sheds its ray,
Like a dreamlight round his way,
But his hopes!—O, what are they?
Like a dreamlight round his way,
But his hopes!—O, what are they?
But, whate'er his hope or aim,
What his rank, or what his name,
He's our brother all the same.
What his rank, or what his name,
He's our brother all the same.
Help him, ye of good intent,
Help the old man pay his rent;
Stop ye, and invest a cent!
Help the old man pay his rent;
Stop ye, and invest a cent!
And the copper coin thus given,
Aiding him who here has striven,
May be counted gold in heaven.
Aiding him who here has striven,
May be counted gold in heaven.
| Lines in Pleasant Places | |