"You Are Old Father William" by Lewis Carroll (poetry)

This is a parody of a poem that was very popular at the time, like many of Lewis Carroll's poems. I don't suppose he meant it unkindly, but his parodies were more entertaining and more memorable.
Here's Robert Southey's original.

"The Old Man's Comforts and how he gained them"

You are old, Father William, the young man cried,
The few locks which are left you are grey;
You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man,
Now tell me the reason I pray.

In the days of my youth, Father William replied,
I remember'd that youth would fly fast,
And abused not my health and my vigour at first
That I never might need them at last.

You are old, Father William, the young man cried,
And pleasures with youth pass away,
And yet you lament not the days that are gone,
Now tell me the reason I pray.

In the days of my youth, Father William replied,
I remember'd that youth could not last;
I thought of the future whatever I did,
That I never might grieve for the past.

You are old, Father William, the young man cried,
And life must be hastening away;
You are chearful, and love to converse upon death!
Now tell me the reason I pray.

I am chearful, young man, Father William replied,
Let the cause thy attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remember'd my God!
And He hath not forgotten my age.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Father
• William
• Lewis
• Carroll
• poem

[figaroatl]

wonderful reading, I have just recently thought of using youtube as a resource for listening to poetry

[Tabbiitha]

Love this one, you read it perfectly... xx