Classic Poem

An ape, a lion, a fox and an ass
Do show forth man's life as it were in a glass;
For apish we are till twenty-and-one,
And after that lions till forty be gone;
Then witty as foxes till threescore and ten,
And after that asses, and so no more men.

A dove, a sparrow, a parrot, a crow,
As plainly set forth how you women may know;
Harmless they are till thirteen be gone,
Then wanton as sparrows till forty draws on;
Then prating as parrots till threescore be o'er,
Then birds of ill omen, and women no more.