" Bear lightly on their foreheads, Time ! 



Strew roses on their way ; 

 The young in heart, however old, 

 That prize the present day. 



" I love to see a man forget 



His blood is growing cold, 



And leap, or swim, or gather flowers, 

 Oblivious of his gold, 



And mix with children in their sport, 

 Nor think that he is old. 



" I love to see the man of care 



Take pleasure in a toy ; 



I love to see him row or ride, 



And tread the grass with joy, 

 Or throw the circling salmon fly 

 As lusty as a boy. 



" The road of life is hard enough, 

 Bestrewn with slag and thorn ; 



I would not mock the simplest joy 

 That made it less forlorn, 



But fill its evening path with flowers, 

 As fresh as those of morn." 



