Listen！ When your hair, like mine, Takes a tint2 of silver gray； When your eyes, with dimmer shine, Watch life's bubbles float away：
When you, young man, have borne like me The weary weight of sixty-three, Then shall penance3 sore be paid For those hours so wildly squandered4； And the words that now fall dead On your ear, be deeply pondered Pondered and approved at last： But their virtue5 will be past！
Glorious is the prize of Duty, Though she be 'a serious power'； Treacherous6 all the lures7 of Beauty, Thorny8 bud and poisonous flower！
Mirth is but a mad beguiling9 Of the golden-gifted time； Lovea demon-meteor, wiling10 Heedless feet to gulfs of crime.
Those who follow earthly pleasure, Heavenly knowledge will not lead； Wisdom hides from them her treasure, Virtue bids them evil-speed！
Vainly may their hearts repenting11. Seek for aid in future years； Wisdom, scorned, knows no relenting； Virtue is not won by fears.
Thus spake the ice-blooded elder gray； The young man scoffed12 as he turned away, Turned to the call of a sweet lute's measure, Waked by the lightsome touch of pleasure： Had he ne'er met a gentler teacher, Woe13 had been wrought14 by that pitiless preacher.