And wooes her back to health again, thro' love.
About the hearth a troop of children comes,
And as he soothes and cheers their restless hearts,
His garnered wealth, like snow, fast melts away.
The mine can be depended on no more;
Old age creeps on apace, and in his heart
He feels the strained timbers giving 'way.
He feeds now on the wealth in other days
Invested where 'twould bring a safe return.
With tottering steps yet proud he walks the streets,