But who, through all this length of time,

Could bear the burden of his years,

If he for strangers pained his heart

Not less than those who merit tears?

Fathers we must have, wife and child,

And grievous is the grief for these;

This pain alone, which must be borne,

Makes the head white, and bows the knees.

But other loads than this his own

One man is not well made to bear.