Classic Poem

Old friends are best, the poets sing.
No others are so staunch and true.
New friends in trouble will not cling
As closely as the old friends do.

Old books are best without a doubt.
Their charms can never fail to win.
New books, however bright without,
Have not their power to please within.

Old wines are best, as all aver,
And often are their praises sung.
They're rich and rare, have power to stir
The pulses of both old and young.

Friends, wine and books have charms to please
When age its ivy round them curls;
But we've no use for such as these:
Old jokes, old clothes, old ballet girls.