Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/235

 The Four Ages of Man, 149

His hoar}' hairs, and grave afpe6l made way, And all gave ear to what he had to fay. Thefe being met each in his equipage Intend to fpeak according to their age: But wife Old age did with all gravity To childifh Childhood give precedency, And to the reft his reafon mildly told. That he was young before he grew fo old. To do as he each one^ full foon affents, Their method was that of the Elements, That each fhould tell what of himfelf he knew. Both good and bad, but yet no more then's true. With heed now Hood three ages of frail man, To hear the child, who crying thus began ;

^ Childhood,

\ H me ! conceived in fin and born with forrow, -^ ^ A nothing, here to day and gone to morrow, VVhofe mean beginning blufhing can't reveal, But night and darknefs muft with fhame conceal. My mothers breeding iicknefs I will fpare, Her nine moneths weary burthen not declare. To fhew her bearing pains,''" I fliould do wrong. To tell thofe pangs' which can't be told b}' tongue:

./ the reft. * pangs. ' that paine.

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