That love of life increas’d with years:
So much, that in our latter stages,
When pains grow sharp, and sickness rages,
The greatest love of life appears.
This great affection to believe,
Which all confess, but few perceive,
If old assertions can’t prevail,
Be pleas’d to hear a modern tale.
When sports went round, and all were gay
On neighbour Dobson’s wedding-day,