The poem
With peace and rest And wisdom sage, Ripeness is best Of every age. With hands that fold In pensive prayer, For grave-yard mold Prepare.
From fighting free With fear forgot, Let ripeness be, Before the rot. With heart of cheer At eighty odd, How man grows near To God!
With passion spent And life nigh run Let us repent The ill we've done. And as we bless With happy heart Life's mellowness --Depart.