Robert Southey — The Old Mans Comforts and How He Gained Them

You are old, Father William, the young man cried ⁠The few locks which are left you are grey; 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 remember'd that youth would fly fast And abused not my health and my vigour at first ⁠That I never might need them at last You are old, Father William, the young man cried ⁠And pleasures with youth pass away And yet you lament not the days that are gone ⁠Now tell me the reason I pray In the days of my youth, Father William replied ⁠I remember'd that youth could not last; I thought of the future whatever I did ⁠That I never might grieve for the past You are old, Father William, the young man cried ⁠And life must be hastening away; You are chearful, and love to converse upon death! ⁠Now tell me the reason I pray I am chearful, young man, Father William replied ⁠Let the cause thy attention engage; In the days of my youth I remember'd my God! ⁠And He hath not forgotten my age