Greybeards at Play: Literature and Art for Old Gentlemen — Key Ideas to Explore

Saw were beyond his wont, The streaming hair, the tie behind, The coat tails worn in front.

I marked the absent-minded scream, The little nervous trick Of rolling in the grate, with eyes By friendship's light made quick.

But youth's black storms are gone and past, Bare is each aged brow; And, since with age we're growing bald, Let us be babies now.

Learning we knew; but still to-day, With spelling-book devotion, Words of one syllable we seek In moments of emotion.

Riches we knew; and well dressed dolls-- Dolls living--who expressed No filial thoughts, however much You thumped them in the chest.

Old happiness is grey as we, And we may still outstrip her; If we be slippered pantaloons, Oh let us hunt the slipper!

The old world glows with colours clear; And if, as saith the saint, The world is but a painted show, Oh let us lick the paint!

Far, far behind are morbid hours, And lonely hearts that bleed. Far, far behind us are the days, When we were old indeed.

Leave we the child: he is immersed With scientists and mystics: With deep prophetic voice he cries Canadian food statistics.

But now I know how few and small, The things we crave need be-- Toys and the universe and you-- A little friend to tea.

Behold the simple sum of things, Where, in one splendour spun, The stars go round the Mulberry Bush, The Burning Bush, the Sun.

Now we are old and wise and grey, And shaky at the knees; Now is the true time to delight In picture books like these.

Hoary and bent I dance one hour: What though I die at morn? There is a shout among the stars, "To-night a child is born."

THE ONENESS OF THE PHILOSOPHER WITH NATURE

OF THE DANGERS ATTENDING ALTRUISM ON THE HIGH SEAS

ON THE DISASTROUS SPREAD OF ÆSTHETICISM IN ALL CLASSES

THE ONENESS OF THE PHILOSOPHER WITH NATURE.

I love to see the little stars All dancing to one tune; I think quite highly of the Sun, And kindly of the Moon.

The million forests of the Earth Come trooping in to tea. The great Niagara waterfall Is never shy with me.

I am the tiger's confidant, And never mention names: The lion drops the formal "Sir," And lets me call him James.

Into my ear the blushing Whale Stammers his love. I know Why the Rhinoceros is sad, --Ah, child! 'twas long ago.

I am akin to all the Earth By many a tribal sign: The aged Pig will often wear That sad, sweet smile of mine.

My niece, the Barnacle, has got My piercing eyes of black; The Elephant has got my nose, I do not want it back.

I know the strange tale of the Slug; The Early Sin--the Fall-- The Sleep--the Vision--and the Vow-- The Quest--the Crown--the Call.

And I have loved the Octopus, Since we were boys together. I love the Vulture and the Shark: I even love the weather.

I love to bask in sunny fields, And when that hope is vain, I go and bask in Baker Street, All in the pouring rain.

Come snow! where fly, by some strange law, Hard snowballs--without noise-- Through streets untenanted, except By good unconscious boys.

Come fog! exultant mystery-- Where, in strange darkness rolled, The end of my own nose becomes A lovely legend old.

Come snow, and hail, and thunderbolts, Sleet, fire, and general fuss; Come to my arms, come all at once-- Oh photograph me thus!

OF THE DANGERS ATTENDING ALTRUISM ON THE HIGH SEAS.

Observe these Pirates bold and gay, That sail a gory sea: Notice their bright expression:-- The handsome one is me.

We plundered ships and harbours, We spoiled the Spanish main; But Nemesis watched over us, For it began to rain.

Oh all well-meaning folk take heed! Our Captain's fate was sore; A more well-meaning Pirate, Had never dripped with gore.

The rain was pouring long and loud, The sea was drear and dim; A little fish was floating there: Our Captain pitied him.

"How sad," he said, and dropped a tear Splash on the cabin roof, "That we are dry, while he is there Without a waterproof.

"We'll get him up on board at once; For Science teaches me, He will be wet if he remains Much longer in the sea."

They fished him out; the First Mate wept, And came with rugs and ale: The Boatswain brought him one golosh, And fixed it on his tail.

But yet he never loved the ship; Against the mast he'd lean; If spoken to, he coughed and smiled, And blushed a pallid green.