Wouldst see blithe looks, fresh cheeks
Age? wouldst see December smile?
Wouldst see nests of new roses
In a bed of reverend snow?
Warm thoughts, free spirits,
Winter's self into a spring?
In sum wouldst see a man that
Live to be old, and still a man?
Whose latest and most leaden hours,
Fall with soft wings stuck with soft flowers;
And, when life's sweet fable ends,
Soul and body part like friends;
No quarrels, murmurs, no delay —A kiss, a sigh, and so away.
This rare one, reader, wouldst thou see?
Hark hither! — and thyself be he.
