Nor did they those, though those did them survive. Old husbandmen I at Sabinum know, Who for another year dig, plough, and sow. For never any man was yet so old, But hoped his life one winter more might hold. Cæcilius vainly said, 'Each day we spend Discovers something, which must needs offend;' But sometimes age may pleasant things behold, And nothing that offends. He should have told 250 This not to age, but youth, who oft'ner see What not alone offends, but hurts, than we. That, I in him, which he in age condemn'd, That us it renders odious, and contemn'd. He knew not virtue, if he thought this truth; For youth delights in age, and age in youth. What to the old can greater pleasure be, Than hopeful and ingenious youth to see, When they with rev'rence follow where we lead, And in straight paths by our directions tread? 260 And e'en my conversation here I see, As well received by you, as yours by me. 'Tis disingenuous to accuse our age Of idleness, who all our powers engage In the same studies, the same course to hold; Nor think our reason for new arts too old. Solon the sage his progress never ceased, But still his learning with his days increased; And I with the same greediness did seek, As water when I thirst, to swallow Greek; 270 Which I did only learn, that I might know Those great examples which I follow now: And I have heard that Socrates the wise, Learn'd on the lute for his last exercise. Though many of the ancients did the same, To improve knowledge was my only aim. THE SECOND PART.