Come forth, old man,thy daughters side Is now the fitting place for thee: When time has quelld the oaks bold pride, The youthful tendril yet may hide The ruins of the parent tree. Scott.Woodstock, Chap. II.
Down his neck his reverend lockes In comelye curles did wave; And on his aged temples grewe The blossomes of the grave. Old Ballad.2 Percy Reliques, 171.
Dear daughter, I confess that I am old; Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg That youll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Shakespeare.King Lear, Act II. Scene 4. (The King to his daughter Regan.)
An age that melts with unperceived decay, And glides in modest innocence away; Whose peaceful Day benevolence endears, Whose Night congratulating conscience cheers; The general favourite as the general friend: Such age there is, and who shall wish its end? Dr. Johnson.Vanity of Human Wishes, Line 293.
Tell me what you find better, or more honourable than age. Is not wisdom entaild upon it? Take the pre-eminence of it in every thing; in an old friend, in old wine, in an old pedigree. Shakerly Marmion.The Antiquary, Act II. Scene 1.
Old friends are best. King James usd to call for his old shoes, they were easiest for his feet. Selden.Table Talk, title Friends. (Arbers English Reprints, 51.)
[Alonso of Aragon was wont to say in commendation of Old Age, that age appeared to be best in these four things; Old Wood to burn! Old Wine to drink! Old Friends to trust! Old Authors to read! (From Bartletts book of Quotations.) Quoting Melchior.]