OLD AGE COMING.
By Elizabeth Hamilton, a Scotch writer, author of “The Cottagers of Glenburnie,” and several other sensible and interesting works. She died, unmarried, about fifty years ago, nearly sixty years old. These lines were written in such very broad Scotch, that I have taken the liberty to render them in English, making no changes, except a few slight variations, which the necessities of rhyme required.
Is that Old Age, who’s knocking at the gate?
I trow it is. He sha’n’t be asked to wait.
You’re kindly welcome, friend! Nay, do not fear
To show yourself! You’ll cause no trouble here.
I know there’re some who tremble at your name,
As though you brought with you reproach or shame;
And who of thousand lies would bear the sin,
Rather than own you for their kith and kin.