Page:Poems that every child should know (ed. Burt, 1904).djvu/86

48 His neighbours he did not abuse,

Was sociable and gay;

He wore large buckles on his shoes,

And changed them every day.

His knowledge, hid from public gaze,

He did not bring to view,

Nor make a noise town-meeting days,

As many people do.

His worldly goods he never threw

In trust to fortune's chances,

But lived (as all his brothers do)

In easy circumstances.

Thus undisturbed by anxious cares

His peaceful moments ran;

And everybody said he was

A fine old gentleman.

.

Song of Life.

on a dusty road

Strewed acorns on the lea;

And one took root and sprouted up,

And grew into a tree.

Love sought its shade at evening-time,

To breathe its early vows;

And Age was pleased, in heights of noon,

To bask beneath its boughs.