Share:
  Guess poet | Poets | Poets timeline | Isles | Contacts

Robert W Service - The CentenariansRobert W Service - The Centenarians
Work rating: Medium


I asked of ancient gaffers three          The way of their ripe living, And this is what they told to me          Without Misgiving. The First: `The why I`ve lived so long,          To my fond recollection Is that for women, wine and song          I`ve had a predilection. Full many a bawdy stave I`ve sung          With wenches of my choosing, But of the joys that kept me young          The best was boozing.` The Second: `I`m a sage revered          Because I was a fool And with the bourgeon of my beard          I kept my ardour cool. On health I have conserved my hold          By never dissipating: And that is why a hundred old          I`m celebrating.` The Third: `The explanation I          Have been so long a-olding, Is that to wash I never try,          Despite conjugal scolding. I hate the sight of soap and so          I seldom change my shirt: Believe me, Brother, there is no          Preservative like dirt.` So there you have the reasons three          Why age may you rejoice: Booze, squalour and temerity,—          Well, you may take your choice. Yet let me say, although it may          Your egoism hurt, Of all the three it seems to me          The best is DIRT.
Source

The script ran 0.001 seconds.