C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
Albert Gorton Greene (1802–1868)
Old Grimes
O
We never shall see more:
He used to wear a long black coat,
All buttoned down before.
His feelings all were true:
His hair was some inclined to gray—
He wore it in a queue.
His breast with pity burned:
The large round head upon his cane
From ivory was turned.
He knew no base design:
His eyes were dark and rather small,
His nose was aquiline.
In friendship he was true:
His coat had pocket-holes behind,
His pantaloons were blue.
He passed securely o’er:
And never wore a pair of boots
For thirty years or more.
Nor fears misfortune’s frown:
He wore a double-breasted vest—
The stripes ran up and down.
And pay it its desert:
He had no malice in his mind,
No ruffles on his shirt.
Was sociable and gay:
He wore large buckles on his shoes,
And changed them every day.
He did not bring to view:
Nor make a noise town-meeting days,
As many people do.
In trust to fortune’s chances:
But lived (as all his brothers do)
In easy circumstances.
His peaceful moments ran:
And everybody said he was
A fine old gentleman.