Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume III. Sorrow and Consolation. 1904. | | | | III. Adversity | | “What can an old man do but die?” | | Thomas Hood (1799–1845) |
| | | SPRING it is cheery, | |
| Winter is dreary, | |
| Green leaves hang, but the brown must fly; | |
| When he ’s forsaken, | |
| Withered and shaken, | 5 |
| What can an old man do but die? | |
| |
| Love will not clip him, | |
| Maids will not lip him, | |
| Maud and Marian pass him by; | |
| Youth it is sunny, | 10 |
| Age has no honey,— | |
| What can an old man do but die? | |
| |
| June it was jolly, | |
| O for its folly! | |
| A dancing leg and a laughing eye! | 15 |
| Youth may be silly, | |
| Wisdom is chilly,— | |
| What can an old man do but die? | |
| |
| Friends they are scanty, | |
| Beggars are plenty, | 20 |
| If he has followers, I know why; | |
| Gold ’s in his clutches | |
| (Buying him crutches!)— | |
| What can an old man do but die? | | | | |
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