St George Tucker (1752–1827)

DAYS of my youth,

Ye have glided away:

Hairs of my youth,

Ye are frosted and gray:

Eyes of my youth,

Your keen sight is no more:

Cheeks of my youth,

Ye are furrow’d all o’er:

Strength of my youth,

All your vigor is gone:

Thoughts of my youth,

Your gay visions are flown.

Days of my youth,

I wish not your recall:

Hairs of my youth,

I ’m content ye should fall:

Eyes of my youth,

You much evil have seen:

Cheeks of my youth,

Bathed in tears have you been:

Thoughts of my youth,

You have led me astray:

Strength of my youth,

Why lament your decay?

Days of my age,

Ye will shortly be past:

Pains of my age,

Yet awhile ye can last:

Joys of my age,

In true wisdom delight:

Eyes of my age,

Be religion your light:

Thoughts of my age,

Dread ye not the cold sod:

Hopes of my age,

Be ye fix’d on your God.