Advice To An Old Man of Sixty Three About To Marry a Girle of Sixteen

Portrait of Thomas Flatman
Thomas Flatman 1637–1688

Now fie upon him! what is Man, Whose life at best is but a span? When to an inch it dwindles down, Ice in his bones, snow on his Crown, That he within his crazy brain, Kind thoughts of Love should entertain, That he, when Harvest comes should plow And when 'tis time to reap, go sowe, Who in imagination only strong, Tho' twice a Child, can never twice grow young

II.

Nature did those design for Fools, That sue for work, yet have no tools. What fellow feeling can there be In such a strange disparity? Old age mistakes the youthful breast, Love dwels not there, but interest: Alas Good Man! take thy repose, Get ribband for thy thumbs, and toes, Provide thee flannel, and a sheet of lead, Think on thy Coffin, not thy bridal bed.

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