"You are old, Father William," the young man cried;
"The few locks that are left you are gray;
You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man;
Now, tell me the reason, I pray."
"In the days of my youth," Father William replied,
"I remembered that youth would fly fast,
And abused not my health and my vigor at first,
That I never might need them at last."
"You are old, Father William," the young man cried,
"And life must be hastening away;
You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death!
Now, tell me the reason, I pray."
"I am cheerful, young man," Father William replied;
"Let the cause thy attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remembered my God!
And He hath not forgotten my age."
_Robert Southey._
* * * * *
Tell the story of the poem in your own words. What are some of the
important lessons it teaches?
* * * * *
_57_
smit' ing
el' o quence
mes' mer ize
ges' ture
vin' e gar
un dy' ing ly