Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ADVICE TO AN OLD MAN OF SIXTY-THREE, ABOUT TO MARRY A GIRL OF SIXTEEN, by THOMAS FLATMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Now fie upon him! What is man Last Line: Think on thy coffin, not thy bridal bed. Subject(s): Love - Age Differences; Old Age | ||||||||
I. Now fie upon him! what is Man, Whose life at best is but a span? When to an inch it dwindles down, Ice in his bones, snow on his crown, That he within his crazy brain Kind thoughts of Love should entertain, That he, when harvest comes, should plow, And when 'tis time to reap, go sow, Who, in imagination only strong, Though twice a child, can never twice grow young. II. Nature did those design for fools, That sue for work, yet have no tools. What fellow-feeling can there be In such a strange disparity? Old age mistakes the youthful breast, Love dwells not there, but Interest: Alas, good man! take thy repose, Get ribband for thy thumbs and toes. Provide thee flannel, and a sheet of lead, -- Think on thy Coffin, not thy Bridal Bed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AT EIGHTY I CHANGE MY VIEW by DAVID IGNATOW FAWN'S FOSTER-MOTHER by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE DEER LAY DOWN THEIR BONES by ROBINSON JEFFERS OLD BLACK MEN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON A WINTER ODE TO THE OLD MEN OF LUMMUS PARK, / MIAMI, FLORIDA by DONALD JUSTICE AFTER A LINE BY JOHN PEALE BISHOP by DONALD JUSTICE TO HER BODY, AGAINST TIME by ROBERT KELLY SONG FROM A COUNTRY FAIR by LEONIE ADAMS AN APPEAL TO CATS IN THE BUSINESS OF LOVE; SONG by THOMAS FLATMAN |
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