I love to view these things with curious eyes And moralize! And in the wisdom of the Holly Tree Wherewith perchance to make a pleasant rhyme, So, tho' abroad perchance I might appear To those who on my leisure would intrude Gentle at home amid my friends I'd be And should my youth, as youth is apt I know, Some harshness show, All vain asperities I day by day Would wear away, Till the smooth temper of my age should be And as when all the summer trees are seen So bright and green, The Holly leaves their fadeless hues display Less bright than they, But when the bare and wintry woods we see What then so chearful as the Holly Tree? So serious should my youth appear among So would I seem amid the young and More grave than they, That in my age as chearful I might be gay The LAST of the FAMILY. JAMES. What Gregory! you are come I see to join us On this sad business. GREGORY. Aye, James, I am come, But with a heavy heart, God knows it, man! JAMES. Some hour from hence; By noon, and near about the elms, I take it.. Old men to follow young ones to the grave! |