Fled some few years, old Time may try Again to wake my rhyme, when I, Obeying the vagary, May thus subscribe the muse's frisk: 66 'My pensive public-yours!-A BRISK YOUNG SEPTUAGENARY!" ANSWER TO "AN OLD MAN'S PEAN." [Written (invita Minerva) at the instigation of J. H.] THOU greybeard gay! whose muse-(perchance In second childhood's ignorance,) Inspired "An Old Man's Paan," Hear how a brother senior sings Sexagenarian sufferings, In strains antipodean! Young, I could take a morning's sport; Play matches in the Tennis Court, So strong was I and plastic ; Dine out, and yet with spirit light Could sport the toe fantastic. Behold me now!-my limbs are stiff: An open door, an east-wind's whiff, Brings sharp rheumatic touches; A chamber-horse my only nag, I mope at home, or slowly drag Once I devour'd whatever came, And never knew, except by name, The heartburn, bile, dyspepsy: Now I must fast-eat what I hate, Or all my ailments aggravate, From ache to epilepsy. How starving Tantalus of old Was punish'd by the Gods, is told In many a classic stanza; And all must recollect the wand That whisk'd the viands from the hand Of hungry Sancho Panza: Their fate without their fault is mine. Champagne and claret, drinks divine As nectar or ambrosia, I may not quaff, but-(horrid bore!) My sherry from a cruet pour And think of past symposia. At home my wife will supervise Each meal I take. I wish her eyes Were sometimes touch'd with blindness! But no-they move not from my plate: God bless her! how I love, yet hate Her ever watchful kindness. "My dear! you know you 're bilious-pray Avoid the turtle soup to-day, And do not touch the salmon ; Just take a chicken wing, or leg, You will not taste the gammon." Shell-fish-of yore my favourite food, Are now my bane; yet crabs eschew'd, Might make an angel crabbed No wonder if I quit the treat Of dainties that I may not eat, Half starving and half rabid. Debarr'd by fond affection's care From all my palate yearns to share, A kindness still more cruel Gives me carte blanche in all I loathe Bread-puddings, sago, mutton-broth, Rice-milk, and water-gruel! |