“You are old, Father William,” the young man said,

“The few locks that are left you are grey;

To revive and embellish your winterbound head,

There is obviously only one way.”

“Ere my fogeydom days,” Father William replied,

“I spent money to make myself spry,

But the hoar-frost of age, all cosmetiques defied,

Though I tried every advertised dye.”

“That may be,” said the youth, with self satisfied air,

(He belonged to a set that was fast,)