 | The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 |  |
69
The Reflections of a Man in His Grand Climacteric
'Tis a folly for Age to repine at the loss
Of the things which it ne'er can again come across;
Agility, strength, youth, and health, are all gone,
And with them the spirits that moved them are flown.
Of the things which it ne'er can again come across;
Agility, strength, youth, and health, are all gone,
And with them the spirits that moved them are flown.
Sad Remembrance must now the enjoyment supply
Of the pleasures that sparkled in Passion's bright eye,
When Youth held the torch, and Hope pointed to bliss,
To be found in a bumper, the dance, or a kiss.
Of the pleasures that sparkled in Passion's bright eye,
When Youth held the torch, and Hope pointed to bliss,
To be found in a bumper, the dance, or a kiss.
The delusion is past, and diseases and pain
Of vain promised pleasures usurp the domain;
Dull Patience alone can a plaster apply,
Their pangs to assuage till the time comes to die.
Of vain promised pleasures usurp the domain;
Dull Patience alone can a plaster apply,
Their pangs to assuage till the time comes to die.
That time now approaches,—and Death wields her dart,
And the victim beholds it, well aimed at his heart;
What now shall support him? A life that's well past!
For a conscience that's sound, is a shield to the last.
And the victim beholds it, well aimed at his heart;
What now shall support him? A life that's well past!
For a conscience that's sound, is a shield to the last.
Then, shall Hope not desert him: that friend of his youth
Shall in age be his nurse, and the teacher of truth:
As she bends o'er his pillow bright visions shall rise,
Whilst to life everlasting she points in the skies.
Shall in age be his nurse, and the teacher of truth:
As she bends o'er his pillow bright visions shall rise,
Whilst to life everlasting she points in the skies.
Aug. 19, 1813. Aet. 62
| The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 | |