Six years had passed, and forty ere the six, When time began to play his usual tricks; The locks once comely in a virgin's sight, Locks of pure brown, displayed the encroaching white; The blood, once fervid, now to cool began, And Time's strong pressure to subdue the man. I rode or walked as I was wont before, But now the bounding spirit was no more; A moderate pace would now my body heat, A walk of moderate length distress my feet. I showed my stranger guest those hills sublime, But said, "The view is poor, we need not climb." At a friend's mansion I began to dread The cold neat parlor and gay glazed bed; At home I felt a more decided taste, And must have all things in my order placed. I ceased to hunt; my horses pleased me less-- My dinner more; I learned to play at chess. I took my dog and gun, but saw the brute Was disappointed that I did not shoot. My morning walks I now could bear to lose, And blessed the shower that gave me not to choose. In fact, I felt a languor stealing on; The active arm, the agile hand, were gone; Small daily actions into habits grew, And new dislike to forms and fashions new. I loved my trees in order to dispose; I numbered peaches, looked how stocks arose; Told the same story oft--in short, began to prose. --_George Crabbe._ 45 Age is a matter of feeling, not of years. _G. W. Curtis._ 46 Men are as old as they feel, and women as they look. _Italian._ 47 May you all be as old as I, And see your sons to manhood grow; And many a time before you die, Be just as pleased as I am now. --_Bloomfield._ 48 Old age and faded flowers, no remedies can revive. --_Chinese._ 49 'Twas impious then (so much was age rever'd) For youth to keep their seats when an old man appear'd. 50 Goethe said: "It is only necessary to grow old to become more indulgent. I see no fault committed that I have not committed myself." 51 The young are fond of novelty, The old of custom. 52 Speak gently to the aged one, Grieve not the care-worn heart; The sands of life are nearly run-- Let such in peace depart! 53 Elderly people look back upon the friends, relatives and acquaintances of thirty, forty or fifty years ago, and say, "There are no friends now-a-days like the old friends of long ago." It is natural for them to think this way, particularly when most of the old friends are dead; but the fact is, that there are friends as true now as ever. 54 These are the effects of doting age, Vain doubts, and idle cares, and over-caution.