In the downhill of life, when I find Im declining,
May my lot no less fortunate be
Than a snug elbow-chair can afford for reclining,
And a cot that oerlooks the wide sea;
With an ambling pad-pony to pace oer the lawn,
While I carol away idle sorrow,
And blithe as the lark that each day hails the dawn
Look forward with hope for tomorrow.
With a porch at my door, both for shelter and shade too,
As the sunshine or rain may prevail;
And a small spot of ground for the use of the spade too,
With a barn for the use of the flail;
A cow for my dairy, a dog for my game,
And a purse when a friend wants to borrow;
Ill envy no Nabob his riches or fame,
Nor what honours may wait him tomorrow.
From the bleak northern blast may my cot be completely
Secured by a neighbouring hill;
And at night may repose steal upon me more sweetly
By the sound of a murmuring rill;
And while peace and plenty I find at my board,
With a heart free from sickness and sorrow,
With my friends may I share what today may afford,
And let them spread the table tomorrow.
And when I at last must throw off this frail covring
Which Ive worn for threescore years and ten,
On the brink of the grave Ill not seek to keep hovring,
Nor my thread wish to spin oer again;
But my face in the glass Ill serenely survey,
And with smiles count each wrinkle and furrow;
As this old worn-out stuff, which is threadbare today,
May become everlasting tomorrow.
