Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. Adversity“What can an old man do but die?”
Thomas Hood (1799–1845)S
Winter is dreary,
Green leaves hang, but the brown must fly;
When he ’s forsaken,
Withered and shaken,
What can an old man do but die?
Maids will not lip him,
Maud and Marian pass him by;
Youth it is sunny,
Age has no honey,—
What can an old man do but die?
O for its folly!
A dancing leg and a laughing eye!
Youth may be silly,
Wisdom is chilly,—
What can an old man do but die?
Beggars are plenty,
If he has followers, I know why;
Gold ’s in his clutches
(Buying him crutches!)—
What can an old man do but die?