Contented at Forty
Since more than half my hopes came true
And more than half my fears
Are but the pleasant laughing-stock
Of these my middle years:—
Since busy are my brain and hand
With not ignoble aim:
Since neighbors on my help rely
And render me the same:—
Since in our village councils deep,
The quest of public weal,
I weigh my wits and heave my turn
With shoulder to the wheel:—
Since early friends have weathered well,
And triumphed o'er the tongue
That jesting told how brief should prove
The friendship of the young:—
Since ardent youth is justified
Of many a hope forlorn,
Now bulwarked in the very hearts
That laughed it once to scorn:—
Since still the blooming fields of May
And burning autumn glen
Delight the eyes that these have seen
Half threescore times and ten:—
Since children near me grow and thrive,
Whom friendly parents lend,
That I may taste the darling joy
Their small, sweet forms to tend:—
Shall I not bless the middle years?
Not I for youth repine
While warmly round me cluster lives
More dear to me than mine.
And more than half my fears
Are but the pleasant laughing-stock
Of these my middle years:—
Since busy are my brain and hand
With not ignoble aim:
Since neighbors on my help rely
And render me the same:—
Since in our village councils deep,
The quest of public weal,
I weigh my wits and heave my turn
With shoulder to the wheel:—
Since early friends have weathered well,
And triumphed o'er the tongue
That jesting told how brief should prove
The friendship of the young:—
Since ardent youth is justified
Of many a hope forlorn,
Now bulwarked in the very hearts
That laughed it once to scorn:—
Since still the blooming fields of May
And burning autumn glen
Delight the eyes that these have seen
Half threescore times and ten:—
Since children near me grow and thrive,
Whom friendly parents lend,
That I may taste the darling joy
Their small, sweet forms to tend:—
Shall I not bless the middle years?
Not I for youth repine
While warmly round me cluster lives
More dear to me than mine.
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