Men

7. But

But to gaze and mark the insidious Signs that presage our undoing, Grey age stalking, slow, perfidious, Harrying all of us to ruin,-

´Twere in endless pain to languish, Tortures worse than Inquisition; Wiser far to mock thine anguish, Dash thy mirror to perdition!

Lift thy burden, acquiescing, Laugh at age, that fain would scare thee With his dismal skull-cap,-pressing Forward, far as hope may bear thee!

Mock at life when life is mocking! When thy whitening hairs harangue thee, "See, who at thy door stands knocking!" ´Tis the hour-buy rope, and hang thee!