I would like to attain to my four score and two,
With a joy in my heart and with naught to efface,
Could I dance, or could sing with an energy true,
Could I lighten the load of the populace.
I’d run out in the open for Nature’s embrace,
With a mind ever high, yet my feet on the sod;
While my soul would be set to the music of grace,
With the heart of a child and the gifts of a god.
[Illustration: Photograph taken when he was 82 years of age.]
My pursuit would be learning the old and the new;
And whenever I could I would Psyche’s wings chase!
I would speak of high art with my privileged few,
And persuade men below to the nobler race;
In the faith I’d rejoice that the world grows apace.
I would skip on the mountain, or valley’s dull clod,
Having plenty and power, or only an ace,
With the heart of a child and the gifts of a god.
I would rather, like Diamond, all the way through,
Either poor, or unknown, or with glorious mace,
Make somebody happy—ah, many and you!
And the love of a child with my love interlace;
Yes, content with my lot, and the righteous ukase.
I would work and I’d play, but never more plod;
A glad song in my heart, and a smile on my face,
With the heart of a child and the gifts of a god.