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<p><em>By Edward Morris<br><br>
</em>
To me the years have gentler grown, <br />
  And time more gracious now than then, <br />
  Though here I sit and muse alone,<br />
  <em>Threescore and ten. </em><br />
  <br />
  The best of living is the last, <br />
  And life seems sweetest at its close; <br />
  And something richer than the past, <br />
  These days disclose. <br />
  <br />
  I mourn not now the silvered hair, <br />
  The trembling hand, the failing power, <br />
  As here I wait and calmly dare,<br />
  The coming hour. <br />
  <br />
  What dreams of honor or of gain, <br />
  Of wreaths or crowns to grace my brow, <br />
  Once stirred my spirit, none remain, <br />
  To stir me now. <br />
  <br />
  The tossing life, the hope and fear, <br />
  The strife, the pain of earlier days,<br />
  On these, all past, I look with clear,<br />
  Unshrinking gaze. <br />
  <br />
  And even when I sorrow most,<br />
  Yet happy are the tears I shed, <br />
  And bright the memories of the lost,<br />
  The pious dead.<br />
  <br />
  The increase of the corn and wine, <br />
  And growing gladness in the heart, <br />
  And wondrous grace and joy are mine, <br />
  From men apart. <br />
  <br />
  Alone, but not alone, I stand; <br />
  Around, above, a Power divine <br />
  Is shining, and a heavenly hand,<br />
  Is touching mine. <br />
  <br />
  Strange glories gild my closing day, <br />
  And one bright star from out the west <br />
  Calls me in tender tones away, <br />
  From work to rest. <br />
  <br />
  And voices which amid the din <br />
  Of outward life I could not hear <br />
  Are gently whispering within, <br />
  Their words of cheer. <br />
  <br />
  So, welcome is each flying year, <br />
  And welcome is this silent bliss; <br />
  Nothing the noisy world can yield, <br />
  Compares with this. <br />
  <br />
  And so, reclining on the slope <br />
  Of life, apart from busy men, <br />
  I firmly grasp this larger hope,<br />
  <em>Threescore and ten!</em>
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